Environmental Policy Statement

Choose Conscious is an online platform committed to promoting and providing environmentally friendly products and those that support the triple bottom line of People, Planet and Profit, using business for good.

By building this community of sellers and bringing this platform to the market, we aim to strike a balance between consuming, and its impact, be that on people, planet or animals.

Choose Conscious wants to be part of the movement that challenge big businesses and how they operate, that questions the accountability, we want to be a business that makes a difference but still allow consumers to do just that, consume but consciously.

Choose Conscious is committed to protecting and growing the natural environment and proactively managing its environmental impacts.

We are committed to making continuous improvements in the management of our environmental impacts. We work in partnership with others to promote environmental stewardship across our value chain, increase understanding of environmental issues amongst our stakeholders and disseminate good practice with other companies.

We comply with applicable environmental legislation and regulations and where possible we go beyond the legislation to improve our ability to contribute to environmental growth and circular economies within Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Rebecca Wilton (Director) is responsible for ensuring that the environmental policy is implemented. However, all employees have a role to play – this Sustainability Policy outlines our individual and shared responsibilities to ensure that the aims and objectives of the policy are met.

This Sustainability Policy commits us to

Embed environmental risks into our risk identification and mitigation processes
Regularly assess our areas of environmental impacts, which includes considering current and future environmental issues
Audit our compliance with legislation and investigate all environmental incidents in order to prevent recurrence
Set targets for continuous improvement

Materials

Where possible we will source materials and products for sale and manufacturing locally, thereby reducing emissions and positively influencing the local economy.
We will work with the most ethical suppliers we can find, and will continue to engage with them so as to promote environmental sustainability.

Culture

We will encourage our staff to avoid travelling to work by (non-electric) car; where this is unavoidable we will promote car-sharing.
All staff will be encouraged to promote the ideals and attitudes herein, and will be provided with the necessary training to do so.

Energy, Waste and Water

The consumption of energy and water, and the creation of waste, to be reduced wherever possible through investment in more efficient technologies and through engaging users with the appropriate use of these resources (e.g. turning lights and electrical equipment off at the end of the day and when not in use and turning off taps).
Active energy use will be reduced in favour of more efficient activity and building insulation.
When new products are to be purchased, their efficiency and energy consumption will be analysed and factored into any decisions made.
Renewable energy technology will be installed where appropriate.
We will seek low-carbon electricity suppliers in addition to renewable energy technology.

Maintenance

Before purchasing equipment, we will investigate whether renting or sharing equipment is possible.
We will investigate the environmental impact and provenance of any equipment to be purchased, with a view to reducing this impact where possible.
We will design and promote products and services for sale that are designed to last and to be easily maintained.

Ecology

We will identify and protect wildlife (in particular species protected by European and UK legislation) on our premises/work sites, through the consultation of experts where necessary.
We will work to increase abundance of pollinators by enhancing the habitat they rely on and we will encourage our neighbours and customers to do the same.
Where physical works and installations are to be carried out, where possible we will use native plants to replace, screen or shelter the works. Before works are carried out we will seek appropriate advice in order to carry this out more effectively.
We will provide proven habitat improvements for the benefit of native species on our premises/work sites.
Where possible we will reduce noise and light pollution created due to our on-site activities.
Where pest control is required, we will endeavour to use physical repellents and barriers to prevent access. Where this is not possible, we will seek independent advice and use poisons/kill traps that have the smallest/no known impact on non-target species. Where the use of herbicides and fungicides are required, we will limit their application as much as possible, and take all appropriate safety measures.

Circular Economy

We will make repairs to our products on site/at the customer’s address where possible.
We will create or research markets for secondary raw materials that arise from our activities.
We will thoroughly research, test and promote the lifecycle and durability of our products.
We will promote an increased choice for consumers through offering lending or sharing services of our products.
We will reduce the use of non-recyclable or hazardous materials in our activities.

Customers

We will use our website/other channels to engage with, educate and inform our customers about the work we do to contribute to Cornwall’s environmental growth, and how customers can complement this.
We will use our website/other channels to inform our customers about how important Cornwall’s natural environment is to businesses and people living and operating in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Logistics

Where possible any packaging we use will be biodegradable/reusable/recyclable/compostable.
We will incentivise and facilitate recycling of our packaging and products.
We will reduce the total materials used in our manufacturing and packaging activities.
We will use a responsible and efficient delivery network that reduces unnecessary carbon emissions.

Strategy and performance

We will review and update environmental objectives and targets on an annual basis.
We will be prepared to meet any future legislative requirements in the online sales & marketing sector by future-proofing our activities and remaining as resource-efficient and responsible as possible.
We will meet any relevant regulatory requirements so that customers/clients/donors can be confident that they are supporting a business that is contributing positively to Cornwall’s environment.
We are currently working towards B-Corp Certification and will promote the B-Corp Values through our media once attained.

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