Our Commitment

Influence recognises that our work as landscape architects, urban designers, environmental planners, and arborists gives us a unique responsibility to protect, enhance, and sustain the environment. We are committed to continual improvement in environmental performance and to operating in a manner that goes beyond legal and regulatory requirements.

Our aim is to manage all of our resources effectively and efficiently while minimising the environmental impact of our operations. This commitment applies to all areas of our business, including energy use, waste generation, purchasing, and supply chain management.

Responsibility

Overall responsibility for implementing this policy rests with Ruth Berry, who ensures that our environmental management commitments are applied throughout the organisation. However, environmental responsibility is shared by everyone at Influence. Every employee is expected to support this policy, follow best practices, and act as an ambassador for environmental awareness in their daily work.

The policy focuses on three key areas of environmental performance:

1. Energy efficiency

2. Waste minimisation and recycling

3. Sustainable purchasing principles

This policy is reviewed annually to ensure it remains effective, relevant, and aligned with the latest examples of environmental best practice.

1. Energy Efficiency

We are committed to using energy responsibly and to continually improving the efficiency of our operations. By reducing our energy consumption, we lower operational costs and help limit greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on non-renewable resources.

Our approach includes:

• Setting thermostats and appliances to efficient operating levels.

• Turning heating down rather than opening windows or using fans.

• Using energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and ICT equipment.

• Switching off lights and electrical devices when not in use, except where safety or technical requirements prevent this.

• Enabling automatic standby or sleep modes on computers and monitors.

• Ensuring taps are fully closed and leaks are promptly repaired.

• Boiling only the amount of water required for immediate use.

• Using rechargeable batteries and mains power where possible.

2. Waste Minimisation and Recycling

We aim to prevent waste at source and maximise reuse and recycling wherever possible. Reducing waste conserves natural resources, decreases landfill demand, and minimises pollution associated with disposal and transportation.

Our approach includes:

• Recycling paper, card, toner cartridges, glass, plastics, and other appropriate materials.

• Using both sides of paper for printing and copying.

• Using digital documents instead of printed materials wherever possible.

• Reusing envelopes and packaging for internal correspondence.

• Offering surplus furniture and equipment to community reuse schemes before disposal.

• Participating in local recycling initiatives such as mobile phone and electronics recovery schemes.

• Avoiding CFC-based aerosols and other environmentally harmful materials.

3. Sustainable Purchasing

Our purchasing practices support suppliers and products that demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility. We aim to influence our supply chain by favouring goods and services that have minimal environmental impact.

Our approach includes:

• Purchasing materials that are recycled or sourced from sustainably managed origins, including paper and timber.

• Selecting cleaning and catering products that are biodegradable and non-toxic.

• Avoiding genetically modified food products and excessive or non-recyclable packaging.

• Prioritising local suppliers to reduce transportation-related emissions.

• Informing suppliers of our environmental expectations and encouraging similar policies.

We recognise that environmental and financial considerations must be balanced. Our goal is to make informed and responsible purchasing decisions that reflect both practicality and sustainability.

Monitoring and Review

The implementation of this policy is monitored regularly, with outcomes reported to the management team. Influence is committed to continuous improvement and will update this policy to reflect new technologies, legislation, and best practices.

Policy Owner: Ruth Berry
Policy Date: 16 April 2014
Policy Review Date: 16 April 2017