Environmental objectives and targets

In order to measure the effectiveness of Impact's Environmental Management System, environmental objectives and key performance targets are set at board level. They are integrated into our company wide strategy and are reviewed periodically.

Management objectives

For policies to be effective they must be derived and driven from management level. The efficiency of these decisions can be determined through meeting targets.

• Impact will meet all environmental targets set
• 100% of all Impact staff will be inducted into the Environment Management System (EMS) within three months of their employment
• The EMS will be reviewed quarterly by the Environment Advisor and the UK Management Team
• Updates to all Impact staff will be communicated quarterly.

Operational objectives

The daily operations of our business have the most potential to cause harm to the environment within which we work. It is important to manage these risks through identification and control measures.

• We will reduce our carbon output from energy use in Impact offices by 15% by 2012 from 2008 base levels   
• The London office will switch to a 100% renewable provider by the end of 2011
• A water usage and waste reduction strategy will be implemented by 2012
• Each outdoor activity location that we regularly use will have an Environmental Impact Assessment completed by the end of 2011
• When our powerboat engines need replacing they will be replaced with four stroke engines and larger craft to reduce the number of powerboats needed
• Considerations of waste will be taken into account when designing new projects
• 100% of all possible paper, cardboard and plastic will continue to be recycled
• When purchasing or leasing new company vehicles, the most fuel efficient vehicles will be considered
• For every company transport need, public transport will be used as the first choice over vehicles and flying where practicable
• A car sharing scheme will be piloted by the end of 2011.

Marketing materials

Impact is committed to always using recycled, environmentally friendly or sustainable materials for our marketing literature. This message now appears on all our marketing material. Some information on the typical papers we use is below.

Environmentally friendly paper
Fibre source - virgin wood fibre from sawmill residues, forest thinnings and sustainable forests in Finland and Russia.
Mill broke - all broke is recycled and is used in the manufacturing process.
Bleaching - pulps used in the production are Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) - no chlorine is used to bleach the paper pulp.
Disposal of waste by-products - landfill adhering to strict local laws – Only inert waste / materials that cannot be recycled.
Paper mill effluent - water used is suitably treated and in most cases returned to source in a better condition than when removed, in accordance with strict local laws.

Recycled paper
Fibre source - usually between 25% (minimum) and 100% de-inked post-consumer waste. Remaining pulp content comprises up to 75% Virgin wood fibre from sawmill residues, forest thinnings and sustainable forests.
Bleaching - pulps used in the production are Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) - no chlorine is used to bleach the paper pulp.
Disposal of waste by-products - landfill adhering to strict local laws – Only inert waste / materials that cannot be recycled.
Paper mill effluent - water used is suitably treated and in most cases returned to source in a better condition than when removed, in accordance with strict local laws.

In both instances the paper itself is recyclable and bio-degradable and all our literature is printed using vegetable oil based inks.