BDL’s Environmental Philosophy & Policy – Updated February 2021
Our Commitment to Sustainable Business Practices
BDL is fully committed to taking all steps to achieve environmental sustainability.
As a business we understand all operations large and small can have a negative environmental impact. We undertake to continually identify and address any areas where we can improve our environmental performance.
We actively promote sound environmental housekeeping practices at all BDL sites to make sure we limit or mitigate any impact we have on the environment as a result of our work activities.
In our direct BDL operations we have a light footprint and HP constantly audits its Sustainability Impact as a manufacturer (see their latest report).
As responsible citizens and caretaker of a beautiful natural environment in NZ, as a business and individuals we undertake to;
Waste Reduction
Our aim is to make sure that sustainable waste minimisation practices, based on the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), are implemented to reduce waste going into landfill. We also like to add a 4th ‘R’ – repair – as we supply equipment that can be repaired.
Reduce –The best way to minimise waste is not to produce it in the first place. Where practical we will avoid using materials that cannot be reused or recycled and actively support the conservation of natural resources, improve use of energy resources (Electricity) and improve Water Conservation.
Re-use – The next most cost-effective means to minimise waste is to re-use materials in their same form. Re-using an item means it does not end up in the landfill. It also means that we do not have to buy a new product for the same purpose so we save both the energy and resources that would have been used to make a new product.
Examples of re-use are using refills, avoiding disposables, returning unused materials to store for others to utilise, donating or selling unwanted items.
Recycle – Recycling involves some form of re-processing of waste materials to produce another product. Recycling is a good option if waste cannot be reduced or reused.
Examples of materials that can be recycled in our operations include, but are not limited to, paper, plastics, glass, equipment components & packaging.
Repair – Printer service is based on repairing the hardware rather than “throw away”, so our printers will be repaired and serviced for a minimum of 5 years. When hardware is traded in it is recycled as second hand equipment to another site to extend its useful life.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Our aim is to promote and implement strategies within our business to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many of our current initiatives support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, for example, by conserving energy and minimising waste.
Potential sources of greenhouse gas emissions identified in BDL’s direct operations include;
Transportation – BDL committed in 2019 to convert all Fleet vehicles to electric powered or PHEV vehicles as they come up for renewal.
Heating & Lighting – BDL Head Office is a modern insulated building which we own. We converted all lighting to energy efficient LED’s in 2016. We are in the process of upgrading the heating/cooling system.
Landfill waste – Waste Reduction Strategy (covered earlier).
Water Conservation
At BDL we have no commercial water use in our direct operations.
Examples in Practice
Given BDL’s reliance on air & vehicle transport in daily operations this is the area we can directly & immediately work to mitigate the effects of our own business activities. We have introduced the following initiatives to reduce & counteract our direct emissions & our contributions to landfill (related to packaging & end-of-life hardware).
Packaging – All cardboard packaging is recycled by Waste Management NZ.
Wood pallets are donated to locals for re-use projects.
All equipment is stripped of reusable material in our workshop prior to removal to end-of life processing. Any part that can be reused on other equipment or for our own domestic purposes is re-used.
HP Sustainability Partner of the Year Award 2020
We were recently recognised for how we have put our Environmental Policy into practice at the HP Partner Awards in December 2020. We are very proud of this award.
What is the environmental issue that you are addressing?
Given BDL’s reliance on air & vehicle transport in daily operations this is the area we identified we could make immediate changes to mitigate the effects of our own business activities. These initiatives work to reduce & counteract the greenhouse gases we directly produce (via emissions and contribution to landfill).
Greenhouse Gases are attributed to creating Climate Change. These initiatives also reduce & counteract our contribution to local air pollutants which affect the health of our local communities, flora & fauna.
Before human habitation, 80% of NZ was native forest and shrubland. It is now only 38% forested with Native & Exotic species. Supporting reforestation of NZ, creates & re-establishes habitats which in turn reduces net Co2 emissions and strengthens NZ’s biodiversity.
Please describe the measurable impact that your initiative has had?