Environmental Policy

Purpose and scope 

Hawthorn & Kent Ltd (‘the Company’) recognises its duty to protect the environment, extending well beyond the minimum requirements of UK law – including all applicable regulations in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. We are dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint and continuously improving our performance by embedding sustainable practices into our business strategy and day-to-day operations. We will actively encourage our customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to adopt similar environmentally responsible practices.

This policy sets out how we manage our approach to being an environmentally responsible business. It applies to all employees, in all our operating countries.

Policy objectives 

We commit to:

  • Complying with all regulatory requirements

  • Continually improving the monitoring of our environmental performance

  • Improving and reducing our environmental impacts

  • Incorporating environmentally driven business decision-making processes

  • Increase employee awareness and provide training on environmental issues, while encouraging customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to do the same. 

Goals 

Paper: We commit to reducing packaging materials whenever feasible, procuring recycled and recyclable paper products and reusing and recycling paper whenever possible.

Energy & Water: We will continue to be committed to ensuring lights and electrical equipment are switched off when not in use, and to prioritise energy consumption objectives and efficiencies when procuring new products.

Office Supplies: We will maintain full compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, and continuously monitor and seek to improve our environmental performance while aiming to reduce our environmental impacts. We will integrate environmental considerations into all business decisions, enhance employee awareness and provide consistent ongoing training on environmental best practices.

Culture: We are committed to reviewing and updating this policy at least annually, incorporating feedback from staff and relevant stakeholders as needed. We will provide staff with relevant environmental training and will collaborate with our supply chain, contractors and subcontractors to improve environmental performance across the board. Whenever feasible, we will prioritise the use of local labour and materials with the goal of reducing our carbon footprint and supporting the local community. Fuel consumption will be kept to a minimum through improved vehicle selection procedures, optimised route planning, and driver awareness.

Responsibilities 

The Directors are responsible for:
•     Reviewing, endorsing and achieving this policy’s aims. 

  • Administering this policy 

  • Developing and rolling out the supporting strategies; and 

  • Communicating sustainable, energy, environmental and social value information to relevant interested stakeholders. 

  • Maintaining regular reviews of our performance and update the policy as required. 

  • Implementing and enforcing the processes and procedures; 

  • Ensuring that their people are aware of their responsibilities and receive appropriate training; and 

  • Addressing any inappropriate behaviour. 

All individuals representing the Company are responsible for: 

  • Carrying out their work in line with this policy and associated procedures; 

  • Challenging any behaviour that falls short of the expectations of this policy; and 

  • Identifying any breaches of this policy and reporting them. 

What will successful implementation of this policy achieve? 

  • Qualitative and quantitative data trends that are continually improving; 

  • Recognition by external bodies in the form of nominations, awards and accreditations; and 

  • Improved benchmarking results when examining our performance against our peers


Last Updated: 5th January 2025