office2office - first rate service delivering customer value

Environment

o2o recognises the business benefits of integrating environmental strategy into core operations.

The impact of o2o’s trading activities on the environment has been assessed and an environmental management programme implemented. Objectives and targets based on the significant aspects have been agreed and progress is measured through regular formal reviews. Further information can be found in our environmental policy.

The significant aspects include waste management and recycling, carbon emission reduction and the procurement of environmentally preferred products.

Waste management and recycling

The Group’s business activities inevitably involve packaging to ensure that products supplied to customers are protected during storage and transit. However, we closely monitor the use and re-use of packaging and we have programmes in place to reduce consumption and to increase the recycling of any waste.

Waste cardboard and plastic pallet wraps are baled for recycling by approved contractors to divert these materials from landfill. Research into new environmentally beneficial ways of packaging products for dispatch is ongoing.

“Waste Watch” is an environmental charity with over 20 years of experience. Waste Watch works with o2o and has implemented a waste audit programme that identifies clear and realistic recommendations for better waste management.

As part of the BDS secure paper collection, destruction and disposal service, shredded and declassified materials are taken to secure facilities where they are recycled for manufacture into low grade paper products. This “closed loop” recycling service delivers real environmental and commercial benefits from customer’s confidential waste as well as ensuring its secure disposal.

Further, in conjunction with Shred Easy, we have a fleet of “Urban Shredders”, which are amongst the most advanced mobile shredding vehicles in the UK. They are small, light, quiet in use and are designed to deliver cost efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions and other environmental benefits.

Carbon emission reduction

Many companies are now considering their “carbon footprint”, a measurement of the greenhouse gases produced by their operations. o2o has carried out research to improve data calculation methods and is now developing a programme to manage its carbon footprint.

Initiatives already implemented to help reduce carbon emissions include the more efficient use of vehicles by the Group:

• a new Group company car policy has been designed to create a recognised energy efficient fleet;
• the replacement of our current van fleet with vehicles incorporating stop-start technology will conserve fuel and reduce CO2 emissions. In addition, a number of hybrid delivery vehicles are also being trialled. The Group continues to back load delivery vehicles to prevent otherwise empty vehicles; and
• sophisticated vehicle route planning technology has been adopted to allow routes to be planned in a flexible, cost effective and more environmental manner. This will help the Group to significantly reduce its carbon footprint by decreasing the fleet size and the number of vehicle-miles travelled.

Environmentally preferred products

Globe & Tick™
o2o offer an extensive range of environmentally preferred products under its own Globe & Tick™ trademark which includes products with a high proportion of genuinely recycled materials or designed with an environmental benefit.

During the year, the range has undergone a comprehensive reassessment by an external environmental specialist. As a result, a further 190 new products were selected to extend the range for 2009. We continue to work with suppliers and customers to identify innovative products to be added to the range. Our environmentally preferred product range is available in one complete catalogue – The o2o Green Guide.

Green OPTIMISA^TM

o2o’s Green OPTIMISA^TM system is designed to measure the environmental impact of a customer’s office products consumption by analysing the end-to-end procurement process associated with it.

Environmental targets for reducing our carbon footprint are defined and we work closely with participating customers to achieve those targets.

Accreditations and Certifications

ISO 14001: 2004 - o2o continues to improve its environmental standards and has set performance objectives and targets linking into three key components of the ISO 14001: 2004 standard: prevention of pollution, continual improvement and environmental legislation compliance.

During the year, o2o was re-awarded the BOSS Federation Environment Certificate. The certificate is based on the requirements of ISO 14001: 2004.

o2o are members of The May Day Network, a joint venture between the Carbon Trust and Business in the Community, set up to support businesses taking action on climate change. The network provides a hub for businesses to share their experiences in tackling the issue and to engage suppliers, customers and sector peers to do the same.

o2o has joined Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX) and has category B membership. SEDEX is a membership organisation for businesses committed to continuous improvement of the ethical performance of their supply chains.