The pressure is on throughout the distribution chain to ensure that environmental concerns are being effectively addressed, and Palmer and Harvey is committed to meeting the needs of our customers without compromising our natural surroundings.

Palmer and Harvey has developed an Environmental Management System (EMS) aimed at targeting the reduction of potentially negative environmental impacts involved in the business of delivered wholesaling. Our EMS was certified to the ISO 14001:2004 standard in 2005, the highest possible accreditation in the field of environmental protection.

This ensures that the effect of Palmer and Harvey’s activities on the environment are reduced by:-

• The prevention of pollution through continuous reduction of direct pollution from our premises, vehicles and work activities
• Making activities energy efficient by incorporating long-term strategies for reducing electricity and gas consumption
• The more efficient use of fuels through a structured approach to vehicle utilisation, vehicle maintenance, driver training and the use of new greener technology
• The promotion of sustainability by an increase in the use of renewable material, improved recycling and the reduction of waste

New Environmental Legislation affecting Retailers

Animal By-Products Regulations
These were introduced in 2006 and they specify that raw meat and fish cannot go to landfill. In summary, you need to ensure that your waste collector is aware that there may be raw meat in your waste e.g. out dated sausages/bacon.

Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE)
These came into force in 2007 and place a duty on suppliers of electrical equipment to take back the products when they have come to the end of their life. Ensure that any electrical equipment e.g. refrigerators and freezers are returned to the original supplier at the end of their life for recycling.

For further information on how Environmental legislation may affect your business visit www.netregs.gov.uk - this also gives many suggestions for improving the green credentials of your business.

Going Green
As a retailer there are many areas of your business you can look at in order to become more environmentally friendly. The following are some suggestions:-

• Energy saving – review your use of electricity / gas. Are lights always needed to be switched on? Can you use energy saving light bulbs? Is the boiler serviced and working efficiently? Is heating required to be on when the premises are closed? Open refrigerators should have plastic strips or be covered when the premises are closed to prevent energy loss.
• Waste and recycling – do you produce enough waste to enable recycling of cardboard and plastic to be economically viable? Could you combine with other local retail premises and bale cardboard and plastic collectively? Reducing waste going to landfill will drastically reduce your waste collection charges.
• Are you sourcing and collecting your goods from different suppliers making a number of journeys when all could be delivered from one supplier?
• Look to reduce the amount of plastic bags you give to your customers – have you considered charging for bags to encourage your customers to bring in their own bags – this will also have costs savings for your business.
• Are deliveries received late at night or early in the morning giving local residents cause to complain about noise?

Palmer and Harvey will be able to change your delivery window if there is a problem. Palmer and Harvey Resources have a Compliance & Safety Department, the members of which may be able to help you with any environmental queries that you have. Please telephone 02476 854464 in the first instance.