Environmental Policy

Environmental Policy

HPFRGC is committed to protecting and actively promoting the improvement of the local environment.

The Charity will ensure that environmental priorities are integrated into the decisions it takes on all its services and will seek to:

1. Make the most efficient use of energy.  It will endeavour to use the minimum quantities of energy possible in accordance with the safe and efficient operation of its heating, lighting, plant and machinery.  It will, from time to time, review its energy sources, energy using appliances and energy efficiency with a view to causing the least environmental impact.  It will monitor consumption and eliminate excessive or unnecessary use.  It will communicate to hirers and staff the means by which energy may be conserved, e.g. closing doors.

2. Encourage those using the hall to walk, cycle and use public or communal transport as alternatives to the private car.  It will seek to provide safe cycle storage and information about public transport on publicity materials.

3. Minimise and where possible eliminate all forms of pollution, using biodegradable chemicals where possible, and minimising use of solvents and lead-based paints. Users will be encouraged to avoid creating noise pollution, especially at night.

4. Use the minimum quantities of water possible in accordance with its activities and ensure that the water it uses is both supplied and disposed of, in the purest condition possible, meeting statutory requirements.  It will reduce leakage and eliminate excessive or unnecessary use, e.g. through avoiding unnecessary flushing of urinals when the hall is not in use.  It will communicate to users, volunteers and staff the need to conserve water e.g. turning taps off after use.

5. Avoid waste and encourage the appropriate conservation, re-use and recycling of resources.  It will re-use and recycle materials as far as possible and, if this is impractical, disposal by a means which will have the least impact on the environment and conforms to statutory requirements.  It will encourage users, volunteers and staff to minimise waste, including the provision of separate disposal facilities for recycling glass, tins and paper/cardboard and if possible food waste.

6. It will ensure that the potential environmental impact of any building projects will be assessed and minimised.  This will include, where possible, methods of construction which make best use of resources; designs which result in low maintenance and high energy efficiency and the use of building materials from sustainable or recycled sources such as FSC accredited timber. We will also seek to minimise water use, by specifying rainwater harvesting and grey water technology where possible.

7. Promote a sense of responsibility and understanding for the environment and participation in environmental issues, by raising user and staff awareness, by information provision and open consultation with the local community.

8. It will seek, where possible, to purchase from local or regional suppliers, in order to maximise input to the local community and minimise carbon emissions from transport.

9. Protect the health and well-being of all staff, contractors and visitors and improve and safeguard the quality of Hickling’s environment.

10. Monitor, review and where possible improve performance each year with positive action on any areas of non-compliance.

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This policy will be reviewed and updated by the trustees every year at the charity's AGM.

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