Environmental Policy

Purpose

This policy sets out how Microsmith Electronics Ltd will identify, manage and reduce the environmental impacts of its electronics retail, repair, refurbishment, collection and delivery activities. It commits the company to legal compliance, responsible resource use and continual, proportionate improvement.

Scope

This policy applies to all directors, employees, workers and contractors carrying out work for Microsmith Electronics Ltd at 31 Russell Drive, at customer premises, during collections and deliveries, and when working remotely.

Our environmental commitments

• Legal compliance: meet applicable environmental, waste, recycling and duty-of-care requirements and keep appropriate records.
• Repair and reuse first: where safe, secure and economically reasonable, prioritise repair, refurbishment, parts recovery and reuse before recycling or disposal.
• Responsible waste management: apply the waste hierarchy, separate recyclable materials as required in Wales, and use appropriately authorised waste carriers and facilities.
• WEEE and batteries: store and handle waste electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and related components safely, separately where required, and in a way that prevents damage, fire, leakage or pollution.
• Data-bearing equipment: protect customer information and arrange secure data erasure or physical destruction, as appropriate, before equipment or storage media is reused, transferred or disposed of.
• Energy and resources: reduce unnecessary electricity, heating, water, paper, packaging and consumable use without compromising safety, repair quality or customer service.
• Travel and deliveries: plan and combine collection, delivery and site visits where practical, and use remote diagnosis or support where this can avoid unnecessary journeys.
• Purchasing: consider durability, repairability, energy efficiency, recycled content, packaging and end-of-life arrangements when buying equipment and supplies.
• Pollution prevention: store liquids, cleaning products, damaged batteries and other potentially hazardous materials safely and respond promptly to spills, leaks or damaged items.
• Continual improvement: set practical objectives, monitor progress and review this policy at least annually.

Environmental improvement programme: 2026–2027

1. Maintain suitable separate waste and recycling arrangements for the materials generated by the business, including small WEEE where applicable, and retain supplier or transfer documentation.
2. Introduce a simple quarterly record of equipment repaired, refurbished, reused, used for parts and passed to authorised recycling or disposal routes.
3. Review collection and delivery planning at least quarterly and combine journeys where practical.
4. Use digital quotations, invoices and internal records by default where suitable, while providing accessible alternatives when needed.
5. Review electricity use and workshop operating practices and implement at least one practical energy-reduction measure before the next review date.
6. Brief all staff on this policy and on their responsibilities for waste segregation, safe battery handling, pollution prevention and reporting concerns.

Responsibilities

The Director is responsible for approving the policy, providing suitable arrangements and resources, monitoring objectives and completing the annual review.

All staff and contractors must follow the waste, recycling, storage and handling arrangements provided; avoid unnecessary waste; report damaged batteries, spills or environmental concerns promptly; and suggest improvements.

Monitoring, records and review

Microsmith will keep proportionate records of relevant waste and recycling arrangements, authorised contractors, improvement actions and staff briefings. The policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner if legislation, premises, services or environmental risks materially change.