Sustainability

Social Value

Community

Our vision is to create a community hub that promotes engagement and opportunities to upskill by providing training, advice and sales of white goods. We aim to inspire and encourage individuals into employment through our youth employability training courses. Our project also includes a circular economy retail space that provide refurbished white goods that are affordable and sold back to the local community and saving them from landfill.

'Govan Appliance Project invests in people, the community and the environment.'

DID YOU KNOW…

  • In the UK, around 1.5 million tonnes of electrical waste is generated each year.

  • Recycling white goods and appliances can save significant amounts of energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Reusing appliances can help to reduce waste and extend their lifespan.

environmental policy 

Govan Appliance Project CIC Environmental Policy

1. Introduction

Govan Appliance Project CIC (GAP) is committed to promoting sustainable practices within our operations and the wider community. As a Community Interest Company based in Scotland, we recognise our responsibility to protect the environment and contribute to a greener future. This policy outlines our commitment to reducing our environmental impact, promoting resource efficiency, and fostering sustainable development.

2. Objectives

The objectives of our environmental policy are to:

- Reduce Waste: Minimize waste generation and increase recycling efforts across all operations.

- Energy Efficiency: Optimize energy use in all facilities and activities to reduce our carbon footprint.

- Sustainable Sourcing: Prioritise the procurement of donated products and services that would normally go to landfill. 

- Community Engagement: Educate and engage the community in environmental initiatives and promote sustainability in the industry and deliver employability skills. 

- Legal Compliance: Ensure full compliance with all relevant environmental legislation and regulations.

3. Waste Management

- Reuse and Recycling: We will prioritise the reuse and refurbishment of appliances, minimizing the need for new products and reducing waste. Where reuse is not possible, we will recycle materials responsibly or use for training purposes. 

- Waste Reduction: Implement practices that reduce waste at the source, including efficient use of materials and the reduction of packaging. 

4. Energy Efficiency

- Energy Conservation: Regularly review and implement energy-saving measures across all facilities, including the use of energy-efficient appliances and lighting.

- Renewable Energy: Explore opportunities to use renewable energy sources within our operations where feasible.

5. Sustainable Sourcing

- Ethical Procurement: Ensure that all products and services purchased by GAP are sourced from suppliers that adhere to environmental and ethical standards.

- Green Products: Favour and seek the procurement of products that have been disgarded or donated

6. Transportation

- Sustainable Transport: Encourage the use of public transportation, car-sharing, and other sustainable travel options for staff and service users. We will also optimize delivery routes to reduce fuel consumption.

- Vehicle Management: Regularly maintain our vehicle fleet to ensure optimal fuel efficiency and explore the use of low-emission vehicles.

7. Community Engagement and Education

- Awareness Campaigns: Develop and deliver educational programs that raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable practices within the community.

- Partnerships: Collaborate with local organisations, schools, and businesses to promote environmental sustainability in the Govan and wider Glasgow area.

8. Monitoring and Reporting

- Environmental Performance: Regularly monitor and review our environmental performance, setting targets for continuous improvement.

- Transparency: Report our environmental performance to funding bodies and board members annually, ensuring transparency and accountability in our efforts to reduce our environmental impact.

9. Legal Compliance

GAP is committed to complying with all relevant environmental laws and regulations. We will keep up to date with changes in legislation and ensure our practices remain in full compliance.

10. Continuous Improvement

We recognise that environmental management is an ongoing process. GAP will regularly review this policy and our environmental practices to identify opportunities for improvement, ensuring that we continue to operate sustainably and responsibly

11. Responsibility

The management of GAP is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that all staff are aware of and adhere to its principles. All employees are encouraged to contribute ideas and actions towards our environmental goals.

12. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in promoting environmental sustainability within Govan Appliance Project CIC.

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This policy reflects Govan Appliance Project CIC's commitment to environmental stewardship and our role in contributing to a sustainable future for our community.