Caring for the environment
is a fundamental objective for us. Elsevier lives out this
commitment through good management practices and by meeting all applicable
legislation. We seek to make continuous improvements to reduce our impact on
all aspects of the environment.
ELSEVIER'S ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS INCLUDE:
Conserve and set targets to improve our use of energy, and raw materials as
appropriate
Reduce waste to a minimum
Recycle materials to the maximum
Reduce our use of energy and natural resources whenever reasonably practicable
Avoid pollution of air, water and land (including avoiding waste tipping in
landfill sites) whenever possible
Improve the work environment
Support local community environmental initiatives
Seek to achieve environmental excellence in all our business operations
Discuss environmental issues regularly at the highest levels of the company
Train and regularly consult with employees on good environmental practice
Meet all anticipated legislation
Liaise with suppliers and customers to facilitate best environmental practice
throughout all aspects of our business whether direct or related
Sustain and protect the environment as a major business objective
Benefits of Mixed Recycling
Mixed recycling carries a number of benefits both to the environment and to
the business. Benefits to the environment include reducing the amount of waste
to landfill and a reduction in vehicle movements and related carbon emissions,
whilst benefits to Elsevier include being able to report much enhanced care of
the environment due to the large reduction in waste taken to landfill, more
efficient waste storage, cheaper waste disposal after the initial set-up
costs, reduced landfill tax and a reduction in the number of suppliers.
WASTE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES
Elsevier employs a variety of different recycling methods, depending on the
business units and the recycling services available. Many sites are
investigating mixed recycling initiatives. Where mixed recycling is not
viable, every step is taken to ensure that we maximize our recycling
potential. Many of the following recycling measures have been adopted, where
appropriate, at large Elsevier sites:
Recycling of white paper, plastic cups and aluminium cans carried out via
local companies
Confidential paper waste and computer disks shredded and recycled
Cardboard recycled via local companies
Toner cartridges purchased from recycled stock and later recycled
Used light tubes recycled
Employee-run small programs that recycle stamps, glossy paper products, etc.
Many employees reuse paper for jotting, and regularly suggest possible
additional ways to help the environment such as relying more on electronic
communication rather than paper; including messages in e-mail replies so that
a complete audit trail can be printed out if necessary; photocopying
double-sided whenever practical; turning off lights when not needed and
encouraging colleagues to use own mugs and glasses rather than plastic cups
Whenever possible equipment is maintained rather than replaced
Redundant equipment is offered to other businesses within the group, to staff
or to local charities to avoid as much as possible going into the waste stream
Redundant files and other small stationary items are regularly offered to
local schools
We have replaced older computers with newer models that are more energy
efficient. As current machines become older, they will be recycled by donation
to schools, sale to staff, or sale to a specialist company for reprocessing
Introduction of high volume network printers replacing desk top printers in
many areas enabling more double-sided printing thus reducing paper. This
exercise also reduces the number of toner cartridges used
All paper based procedures, listings, information etc. have been converted to
electronic methods & posted on Non-Solus whenever practical
