Environmental Report 2010-2011

Environmental Monitoring Report 2010-2011 An analysis of our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment.

Louise Wilson June 2011

Environmental Monitoring Report 2010-2011

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Contents

Executive Summary 3

Introduction 4

Carbon Footprint 5

Analysis of Impact 6

Reduction Plan 8

Targets 10


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Executive Summary

Our Services Splitz provides a range of support services to individuals and families in Wiltshire, Swindon and Bristol. Services are delivered in the community, but some projects run workshops and other group events at fixed venues. At our main office in Trowbridge we are able to manage all utilities. We are not able to measure the fuel use at our satellite offices in Salisbury, Swindon and Bristol, as these charges are all inclusive in the rent.

Our Impact The carbon footprint for Splitz is low and our impact is minimal. Our greatest impact is from petrol and diesel use for travel, with almost 50 staff and volunteers covering over 82,000 miles. Last year we covered nearly 80,000 miles. Our average worker footprint has reduced by 14% from 1.34 to 1.15 tonnes of CO2. A particularly cold winter brought a higher heating bill and greater gas usage, but our electricity usage has remained constant.

Our Response Splitz is committed to preserving and protecting the environment. We do this by monitoring and analysing our activities and taking positive action. By highlighting our impact we have encouraged a more efficient use of transport. Office efficiencies have included reduced water usage and reduced waste. This year we were able to recycle more than 12 different types of materials. We do not have an energy performance certificate for our main office as we began our tenancy before they were introduced.


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Introduction

Calculations Calculations of our CO2 emissions are made using the process on the Carbon Trust web site.

Average Number of Staff Usage per person is calculated using the average number of paid staff posts during the year.

2009-10 2010-11 Change Posts 25 29.5 +18% FTE1 19.3 21.3 +10%

Vehicles We know the engine size and fuel type for all staff vehicles and the miles travelled in each class.

Petrol < 1.4l 1.4-2.0l > 2.0l Number of vehicles 4 41 5 Miles travelled 5966 55720 13521 Diesel < 1.7l 1.7-2.0l > 2.0l Number of vehicles 0 2 1 Miles travelled 0 7141 2374

1 Full time equivalent


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Carbon Footprint Our carbon footprint includes the fuel used for travelling and the electricity and gas use at our main office in Trowbridge. We are unable to identify electricity or gas use at our offices in Swindon or Salisbury as we do not pay directly for these services.

2009-10 Target 2010-11 Change Tonnes CO2 34.96 - 37.4 +7% Average staff 26 - 29.5 +13% Tonnes/person 1.34 1.30 1.27 -5%

Total Emissions Total emissions: 37.40 tonnes; % by source


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Analysis of Impact

Petrol & Diesel

All staff & volunteers 2009-10 Target 2010-11 Change miles 78,586 80,000 84,722 +8% Tonnes CO2 28.4 - 30.62 +8% Tonnes/person 1.14 1.0 1.03 -10%

Gas

Trowbridge 2009-10 Target 2010-11 Change kWh 8,066 8,000 8794 +9% Tonnes CO2 1.49 - 1.63 +9% Tonnes/person 0.06 0.05 0.06 -0%

Electricity

Trowbridge 2009-10 Target 2010-11 Change kWh 9,446 9,000 9439 -0% Tonnes CO2 5.07 - 5.15 +2% Tonnes/person 0.20 0.20 0.17 -15%

Water

Trowbridge 2009-10 Target 2010-11 Change Litres 28,000 26,000 27,000 -4% Litres/person/day 4.3 3.0 3.5 -19%

Waste

Trowbridge 2009-10 Target 2010-11 Change Bags* 52 48 52 0 Bags/person 2.1 1.9 1.8 -14%

* a bag is defined as a full 60 litre bin liner

Recycling We continue to recycle a variety of items. The item that is recycled most is paper. The next most recycled item is cardboard. Only small quantities of the other items are generated. Storing the other items for recycling is proving easier. As only small quantities are generated these are disposed of monthly. Toner cartridges are returned to the supplier or given to a local recycling venture.


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Reduction Plan A major environmental impact is from our use of energy. The main energy used is electricity, gas and fuel for vehicles. We have identified the main reasons for energy use and devised a plan to reduce our energy consumption. Electricity A major consumer of electricity is our ICT, especially the server and other systems that remain online 24/7, but also includes our desktop computers, which are used daily for a few hours. Monitors left on standby overnight can continue to draw power. Seasonal use includes additional cooling fans in the summer and additional heaters in winter. Lighting is also a high energy user as the office has little natural light. To reduce electricity consumption:

• Do not have monitors attached to servers. • Turn monitors off when not in use (give costs of monitors on standby). • Turn off lights when not in use (eg inner office, Merrick room, main office). • Unplug phone chargers and other unused equipment when not in use. • Use additional electrical items sparingly.

Gas Gas is used for heating and hot water. We replaced our gas boiler in 2010 and added a water softener and new timer control. At the same time we had individual thermostat valves added to the radiators. Heating is controlled by setting the boiler temperature, setting the timer to provide heating at certain times, and by setting the room or radiator thermostats. Hot water is supplied on demand. To reduce gas consumption:

• Prevent staff adjusting the boiler temperature, timer controls and room thermostat (turning the thermostat up does not increase the temperature of the heating water, it only keeps the boiler running longer as it attempts to heat the room to the new higher temperature).

• Keep doors closed to minimise heat loss. • Service the boiler annually.

Petrol/diesel Travel on duty is biggest use of energy. It is not possible to reduce this greatly as our services are mainly community based. To reduce petrol/diesel consumption:

• Drive carefully; don’t drive aggressively. • Drive economically; think ahead. • Plan your journey. • Combine short trips. • Keep your car properly serviced.


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• Check your tyre pressure; under inflated tyres cause wear and tear and use more fuel. • Reduce unwanted weight. • Consider alternative transport; do you need to drive into town?

Staff Involvement To encourage staff involvement in promoting the reduction of energy we have set up a set up an Environment Team that meets twice a year (Spring, Autumn).This team will involve a manager and at least one coordinator, support worker, volunteer, service user, and trustee. Its main aims will be to monitor our energy use, set targets, investigate best practice, educate others and contribute to the production of this annual report. The first meeting was scheduled for 27 May 2011.

Targets

Unit 2010-2011 (actual)

2011-2012

Overall CO2 Tonnes/person 1.1 1.2

miles 84,722 85,000 Petrol

Tonnes/person 1.03 1.0

kWh 8,794 8,000 Gas


kWh 9,439 10,000 Electricity


Litres 27,000 22,000 Water

Litres/person/day 3.5 3.0

Bags 52 40 Waste

Bags/person 1.8 1.5

Recycling Items 10+ 10+

Documents

Environmental Report 2010-2011