Environmental Policy

Policy Statement

AESN Care recognises its responsibility to minimise avoidable environmental impact while maintaining safe and effective care. Environmental responsibility will be integrated into everyday operations, purchasing, waste management, travel and resource use wherever practical.

1. Introduction

AESN Care's environmental impact can arise from energy, water, travel, waste, purchasing, buildings, equipment and digital or administrative activity. The organisation will seek practical improvements appropriate to its services.

2. Purpose

This policy provides an overarching environmental commitment. It complements the more specific Carbon Reduction Plan, which focuses on measuring and reducing carbon-related impacts.

3. Scope

The policy applies to AESN Care staff and operational activities within the organisation's control or influence.

4. Policy Objectives

• Reduce avoidable waste and pollution.
• Use energy, water and materials responsibly.
• Increase reuse and recycling where appropriate.
• Consider environmental factors in procurement.
• Promote staff awareness.
• Support continuous improvement.

5. Definitions

Environmental impact means the effect activities can have on resources, pollution, waste and the natural environment. Sustainable purchasing means considering durability, necessity, resource use, waste and environmental factors alongside quality, safety and cost.

6. Legal and Regulatory Framework

AESN Care will comply with applicable environmental, waste, health and safety and other relevant legal requirements. Requirements will be applied according to the service location and activity involved.

7. Roles and Responsibilities

• Management will set priorities and monitor environmental performance where appropriate.
• Managers will implement relevant operational controls.
• Staff should avoid unnecessary waste and report environmental hazards.
• Suppliers should be considered for environmental performance where relevant.

8. Policy Requirements / Principles

• Waste should be reduced at source where practical.
• Recycling arrangements should be used where available and appropriate.
• Hazardous or clinical-type waste, where generated, must be handled through suitable arrangements.
• Water and energy should be used efficiently.
• Purchasing should consider necessity, durability and environmental impact.
• Travel should be planned efficiently where this does not compromise care or safety.
• Environmental considerations must not undermine the needs or rights of people we support.

9. Procedures

Managers may identify local actions such as recycling, efficient equipment use, reduced printing, sustainable purchasing, responsible disposal and travel planning. Environmental risks identified in homes or community settings should be managed alongside health and safety responsibilities.

10. Reporting and Escalation

Environmental incidents, significant waste problems, pollution risks or unsafe conditions should be reported to management and escalated where required.

11. Records and Documentation

Relevant records may include waste arrangements, energy information, purchasing decisions and improvement actions. Personal data will be handled securely.

12. Training and Competence

Staff will receive proportionate information on environmental responsibilities relevant to their work.

13. Monitoring and Compliance

Environmental performance may be reviewed through management checks, available data, supplier information and improvement actions.

14. Breaches / Non-Compliance

Environmental non-compliance will be addressed proportionately. Issues presenting safety or legal risks will be escalated promptly.

15. Equality, Diversity and Human Rights

Environmental arrangements must take account of accessibility, disability, health needs and reasonable adjustments.

16. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Environmental records containing personal information will be processed only for legitimate purposes and protected appropriately.

17. Related Policies and Procedures

• Carbon Reduction Plan
• Health & Safety Policy
• Quality Policy
• Data Protection Policy

18. Review and Continuous Improvement

AESN Care will use operational learning and available data to identify further practical environmental improvements.

19. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed periodically and when significant environmental, operational or legal changes occur.

Related Policies

• Carbon Reduction Plan
• Health & Safety Policy
• Quality Policy

Review Arrangements

This policy will be reviewed by AESN Care Management at appropriate intervals and sooner where there is a significant change in legislation, regulation, service delivery, risk, guidance, learning from incidents or complaints, or organisational arrangements. Review findings and resulting actions will be documented.

Approval

Approved by: AESN Care Management