PEOPLE AND PLANET
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY
In terms of the Codes of Good Practice as gazetted on 9 February 2007, we are classed as a micro enterprise, and as such have an automatic empowerment status of Level 4, which is equivalent to a BEE recognition level of 100% for procurement purposes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY STATEMENT
Percheron Strategic Communications accepts responsibility for the harmful effects its operations have on both the local and global environment and is committed to reducing them. We have measured our impact on the environment and set targets for ongoing improvement. We comply with all relevant environmental legislation and encourage the adoption of similar principles by our suppliers.
The key points of our strategy to achieve this are:
Minimise waste by evaluating operations and ensuring they are as efficient as possible;
Minimise toxic emissions through the selection and use of its fleet and the source of its power requirements;
Actively promote recycling both internally and amongst its customers and suppliers;
Meet or exceed all the environmental legislation that relates to the Company;
Use an accredited programme to offset the greenhouse gas emissions generated by our activities.
Sustainable initiatives include:
Construction:
Offices were recently renovated according to guidelines set out by the Green Building Council South Africa’s EDGE residential rating tool, wherever possible. Practices included:
Environmentally friendly building materials used wherever possible including low VOC coverings
Building materials were reused wherever possible, sold or donated to various charities, thereby minimising waste sent to landfill
Passive environment control employed via window placement, screens and triple insulation. Air conditioning is not used
Energy:
LED light bulbs used exclusively
Hot water supplied by energy efficient heat pumps
All appliances employ Energy Star energy efficiency
Paper and printing:
Fax to email service used to reduce need to receive faxes physically
Printers are set on economy setting, printing is reduced to an absolute minimum and all paper is used more than once if possible and/or recycled
Waste and toxins
All possible waste is recycled via City of Cape Town’s Recycling initiative or composted
Certified environmentally friendly, biodegradable cleaning products are used exclusively. These products are also endorsed by Beauty Without Cruelty
Water and toxins:
Dual flush toilets utilised throughout
Rainwater is harvested and stored in a 40 000 litre underground tank for use in the gardens. Pipes plumbed to accommodate a grey water recycling system when funds allow
Travel:
Only diesel powered vehicles used in the course of business
Carbon footprint of air travel and car hire offset via Trees for Africa
Air travel reduced to a minimum with teleconferencing used wherever possible and client visits reduced to one per quarter in Johannesburg
Landscaping:
Gardens are grown on an exclusively organic basis, utilising no chemical fertilisers and only organic insecticides and fungicides
Rain water catchment system used to irrigate gardens with a grey water system plumbed in and ready to be installed