HS02 - Environmental Policy and Procedure

5. Procedure

5.1 Responsibilities

• 1. Care 4 You Care Agency and its employees have a responsibility to protect the environment
• 2. The Registered Manager is responsible for ensuring that the Environmental Policy is disseminated
• 3. The Registered Manager is responsible for ensuring that the procedures attached to this policy are followed

5.2 Working Efficiently and Minimising Waste - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Care 4 You Care Agency implements the elements of 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' and aims to ensure that it is considerate about its implementation and use of resources. Care 4 You Care Agency will promote responsible purchasing, ensuring that requests and purchases are carefully planned and match needs.

Reduce

Utilities: All staff should ensure that taps are not left running and electrical equipment and lights are turned off when they are not in use, without compromising the safety of Service Users. Paper: Care 4 You Care Agency is aware of excess paper usage and implements the following:

• Only print if absolutely necessary
• Complete a print preview to avoid unnecessary printing errors
• Ensure that double-sided printing is implemented when appropriate
• Care 4 You Care Agency will only print rosters/rotas (where applicable) if absolutely necessary and will encourage the use of cloud-based/electronic software that reduces the need for paper copies
• Care 4 You Care Agency will utilise the QCS App on work smartphones and tablets to convey policy updates to staff, to reduce the necessity for paper copies
• Care 4 You Care Agency will ensure that all staff have access to the QCS Management System wherever possible

Reuse

• Before throwing anything away, Care 4 You Care Agency will consider if the item/s can be reused again (if not by Care 4 You Care Agency, then another party) and act
• Care 4 You Care Agency actively endeavours to avoid the use of single-use plastics where possible, and searches for a more sustainable alternative

Recycle

• Care 4 You Care Agency ensures that appropriate recycling bins will be available for recycling (where possible) within the waste management process
• Staff will actively encourage recycling when providing services to individuals in the community (where possible)
• Members of staff must ensure that health and safety is adhered to in the first instance for the safe disposal of waste, and that confidential waste is disposed of securely

5.3 Reducing Pollution & Travel

• Care 4 You Care Agency will ensure that environmentally friendly and sustainable resources are purchased wherever possible, whilst maintaining standards of cleanliness and other health and safety requirements
• Where Care 4 You Care Agency purchases/leases vehicles, these will be used only when necessary
• Where vehicles are no longer fit for operational use, more environmentally efficient models should be scoped for purchase where financially viable
• All medical and chemical products will be used and disposed of in accordance with all relevant legal requirements, codes of practice and regulations
• Care 4 You Care Agency encourages the use of other modes of transport and (where applicable) actively encourages the use of bikes, making use of schemes such as the Cycle to Work Scheme
• Where applicable, Care 4 You Care Agency is mindful about how to reduce travel and as such, promotes car sharing for staff working together at the same Service User address where possible. This may require creating a run that encompasses all Service Users who require the support of 2 members of staff, enabling them to car share (provided the times meet Service User need)
• Care 4 You Care Agency is aware of the need to reduce excessive emissions, and as such, plans routes accordingly to ensure that 2 carers are not driving to the same road unless it is absolutely necessary

5.5 Inclusion

• Care 4 You Care Agency will encourage suggestions to improve the environment where they are possible, and will engage Service Users and staff in taking these forward
• Where Care 4 You Care Agency has environmental objectives, Service Users, partners, clients, suppliers and subcontractors will be consulted and included in their implementation

5.6 Assesing and Monitoring

• Care 4 You Care Agency is responsible for the physical environment of Care 4 You Care Agency and will identify and manage environmental risks and hazards
• Targets to measure the continuous improvement in the environmental performance of Care 4 You
• Care Agency will be regularly reviewed and changes made accordingly
• Care 4 You Care Agency will complete an review of its Environmental Policy at least annually

5.7 Speaking Out

• All stakeholders are encouraged to speak out where they see environmental hazards or have concerns
• Staff can raise concerns to team leaders, and any hazard will be reported immediately to the Registered Manager
• Service Users may make a complaint as well as report to a member of staff

5.8 Energy Management

• Care 4 You Care Agency will operate its facilities with due consideration to the impacts of its energy consumption
• Care 4 You Care Agency will maintain its plant, machinery, equipment and buildings in a manner which best ensures their continued energy efficiency
• Care 4 You Care Agency monitors use of all resources, including energy consumption and devises strategies to reduce this where practicable without detriment to its service delivery and the safety of Service Users