office2office - first rate service delivering customer value

Environment

o2o is committed to managing and reducing any significant environmental impacts through its environmental management system, which is certified to the international standard ISO 14001:2004. We have maintained the registrations both at head office and at our Manchester site, which houses our largest distribution centre. The key activities, including the supply chain and distribution are within the scope of our certification. Our intention is to improve our environmental performance year on year and therefore environmental objectives have been set with periodic progress reviews.

The main highlights are detailed below.

Management of packaging waste

Generation of such waste is inevitable in our business. However, our aim has been to reduce volumes and mitigate the impacts. Incoming waste cardboard and plastic pallet wrap continue to be baled for recycling by approved waste recycling contractors to divert these materials from landfill. We have also instigated processes to collect similar waste packaging from our outlying premises. The Group is a member of the Valpak packaging compliance scheme and has reduced its packaging obligation through improving internal packaging processes and methods.

Reducing energy consumption

Reducing the rate of climate change is an acknowledged global priority. Within o2o programmes have been implemented to help reduce our carbon output through initiatives to manage our use of fuel by controlling business travel and by effective fleet management.

Double deck trailers, logistics software and vehicle selection continue to be the main drivers to reduce miles travelled and emissions. The emissions and fuel consumption of the delivery fleet are monitored regularly. Delivery routes are constantly reviewed both to reduce costs and optimise mileage.

All vehicles are serviced and maintained regularly in order to optimise performance. We continue to review the use of alternative fuel-powered goods vehicles. The Group continues to back load to optimise the use of otherwise empty vehicles.

Over 80% of the company car fleet is now diesel-powered (exceeding our target of 75%), which helps to reduce fuel consumption and certain emissions. The average carbon dioxide emission per company car is now 150 g/km and all cars are below 220 g/km, meeting our target. The video conferencing facilities, installed in three of our main sites, are well used and reduce business travel, contributing to fuel savings and reduced emissions.

Environmentally-preferred products

To provide customers with a wider choice of environmentally-preferred products, we have continued to extend our Globe & Tick™ range of products to strict criteria. During 2007, the range was extended further to over 1,100 products with some new product categories. We shall continue to work with suppliers and customers to identify products that can be added to the range.

Environmental awards

During the course of the year the Company was awarded:

• the British Office Supplies and Services Federation environment certificate in recognition of our commitment to environmental responsibility; and
• a major commendation in the Business Commitment to the Environment Environmental Leadership Awards in recognition of our innovative Globe & Tick ™ product range

In addition, the Company was granted entry into the prestigious FTSE4Good Index for meeting globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. We have also joined the May Day Company, a joint venture between Business in the Community and the Carbon Trust formed to help reduce carbon footprints.

Packaging waste, energy conservation, and environmentally-preferred products will continue to be our focus during 2008. Many companies are now considering their ‘carbon footprint’ – a way of measuring the greenhouse gases produced by their operations. As this is a new area, standard methods of measurement are still being developed. o2o is waiting for the British Standards Institute to issue standards in order to be able to ensure consistency and comparability of measurement. We will then use our carbon footprint as a tool for benchmarking our performance in order to set targets for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.