Sustainability Policy

Supporting staff, community, and environment

As paperless as possible

Our filing system is predominantly digital and we discourage our staff, clients, and suppliers from printing wherever possible. Moreover, we actively recommend digital alternatives to our network and can provide training on these. This can range from digital storage solutions, cloud accounting software, receipt capture apps, virtual cards and a large variety of other systems. It can be intimidating to go digital when a hard copy can provide a certain comfort and familiarity so this is why we provide that support to make that transition easier.

On the occasion we have confidential paper waste, it is taken away and destroyed by Restore Datashred who have a “Zero to landfill policy”.

Recycling schemes

We provide a working document to our employees which contains a list of local sustainable suppliers and initiatives. Here they can learn about how they can get more involved with sustainability in both their professional and personal lives. This document is ever changing and developing.

Packaging and consumables

As a services business and mainly digital, we generally create very little waste. However, that doesn’t stop us from thinking about how we can create less and do more to recycle. Our hand soaps and washing up liquids are mainly dispensed from reusable pumps. Our sponges, cloths and towels are all washable and reusable.

Working with the community

In addition to our document containing local suppliers and initiatives, we have worked with our local community for many years now.

3 of our team members are heavily involved with a local community drama group, The Music Group – Sale, and COS help to support them in many ways from printing scripts to sponsoring their t-shirts. A number of our team also watch the shows and all the money goes back into supporting the local community.

Up until very recently our Managing Director was the Treasurer for The Urmston Partnership which is a not-for-profit ran by volunteers for the good of the community. As we have now moved to another town, her treasury role has been taken over my another community member.

As a company we continue to work with, support, and promote local businesses and use local suppliers wherever possible.

Supporting staff

We respect and support the wellbeing of every employee and encourage our team to talk to us when they feel their mental or physical health is in jeopardy and they feel they need support. For instance, if an employee feels their workload is too much, we will actively do our best to reduce that workload.

Flexible working is part of our culture and we trust our team to get the job done but in a way that fits in with their personal life. Whether that be collecting their children/grandchildren, celebrating religious events, attending medical appointments or other commitments, we encourage a healthy work life balance.

We do hybrid working so that staff can work both at home and at work when it suits them. 80% of all internal and external meetings and training are virtual. This has reduced our carbon footprint.

Charity work and donations

We formed a fundraising group in partnership with our local community called COS & Friends and together we raised around £30,000 for Cancer Research UK in the time the group ran. Becky Vanden, one of our team members, was Chairman and lead event organiser. She organised a number of events from Masquerade Balls to Quiz night and we had serious fun raising that amount together.

Since the closure of the group we’ve supported a number of other charities. Staff nominate charities every quarter and we enter those charities into a draw. The winner of the draw receives a donation from us. This way we can support the charities that are important to our staff, their lives and their communities.

Electronics

Our offices are fitted with LED lighting which is bright and welcoming but also have a smaller carbon footprint than conventional lighting.

Wherever possibly we recondition IT equipment where possible to prolong life and recycle what might otherwise have been thrown away. Any IT equipment and stationery we no longer require we pass onto charities and those in need.

Heating

The heating in the building only comes on when the temperature drops below 18c. This helps to reduce energy and ensures the office is a comfortable temperature.

Our Website

Our website is hosted by Krystal who are a B Corp, they run on 100% renewable energy and have planted over 2.7 million trees since becoming a B corporation.