During 2004, Drake and Vinten in the UK commenced the
implementation of the EU Directives on Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment (WEEE), which must be in place by the
end of July 2005, and on the Restriction of Use of Certain
Hazardous Substances (ROHS), which comes into effect on 1
July 2006. This has involved analysing in-house and third party
supplied components to ensure they contain increased use of
lead-free solder with the aim of phasing out, as quickly as
possible, the use of lead in solder and other components.
Clear-Com in the USA, although not covered by EU legislation, is
taking the same responsible approach to waste electrical and
electronic equipment and to restricting its use of certain
hazardous substances such as solder containing lead.
Cardboard and toner cartridges are also recycled by Clear-Com.
A cardboard only skip has been installed for cardboard
recycling. Paper is recycled separately to cardboard. Toner
cartridges are recycled either by The Roy Castle Lung Cancer
Foundation, a charity wholly dedicated to defeating lung cancer,
or through local vendors. Further improvements necessary to
comply with WEEE and ROHS are planned for 2005. There is a
continued reduction by Vitec Group Communications in the use
of bubble wrap and polystyrene chippings facilitated by the
increased use of bespoke packaging.
Anton/Bauer, Inc. continues to be an active member of the
battery recycling scheme in conjunction with the Rechargeable
Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC). Anton/Bauer pays
licensing fees to the RBRC, a non-profit public service
organization created to promote the recycling of portable
batteries, and places the RBRC seal on its products. In 2004
Anton/Bauer forwarded more than 35,000 pounds in weight of
nickel cadmium, lithium ion and nickel metal hydride batteries
returned to the company for recycling. Anton/Bauer also is a
member of the PRBA (Portable Recharging Battery Association)
whose mission is to provide leadership in obtaining consistent
domestic and international solutions to environmental and other
selected issues affecting the use, recycling and disposal of small
sealed rechargeable batteries.
In 2003 Drake introduced the use of standard thickness
packaging by switching from tri-wall to double-wall packing to
reduce cardboard use. The use of bespoke packaging also
reduced the use of bubble wrap and polystyrene chippings.
Drake has now further reduced the use of bubble wrap and
polystyrene chippings by increasing their use of bespoke
packaging. Cardboard, paper and toner cartridges are each
separately recycled. The building in Cambridge is generally
more energy efficient than its previous premises.
OConnor continues to recycle the remnant ink from its printers
and photocopier, use energy saving light bulbs, use electronic
timers for heating and air conditioning units, and to recycle all of
its machine cutting chips and scrap metal. OConnor’s
hazardous waste materials and liquids are collected by a waste
management company for disposal. Deburr particles are
separated from process liquid by a cyclonic separator and
properly disposed of; the liquid is then reused. All of OConnor’s
product packaging is made of recycled materials.
At the manufacturing operation in Costa Rica we now use a high
proportion of bio-degradable packaging and have reduced the
use of cardboard.
| Energy usage in 2004 |
Electricity usage
(in kilowatt hours) |
Gas usage
(in kilowatt hours) |
Water usage
(in cubic metres) |
| |
8,344,586 |
6,587,924 |
39,982 |
Compared to 2003, the figures show an increase in the use of
electricity, gas and water. This is due to three factors; one, as a
result of increased activity levels by the Group, two, the
improved gathering process referred to earlier, particularly in
respect of overseas operating units, and three, the inclusion of
the energy consumed by the two businesses acquired in the
year.
3. Human rights
Policy
To comply with the laws and customs of each country in which
we operate. Not to use child labour. Not to discriminate in any
way and to give equal opportunities to all workers.
Actions
The above policy has been part of the Group’s approach for
many years. The Group’s operating companies are required to
include it as part of their employee policies and to comply.