Environmental Policy

GingerWhite recognises that it has a responsibility to the environment beyond legal and regulatory requirements. As a small family run business we are committed to “doing our bit” in reducing our environmental impact and strive to continually improve our environmental performance as an important part of our business strategy and operating methods. We encourage our customers, suppliers and partner artists to support this approach and do the same.

We endeavour to:
-Comply with and exceed all relevant regulatory requirements.
-Continually improve and monitor environmental performance.
-Continually improve and reduce environmental impacts.
-Incorporate environmental factors into all of our business decisions.
-Increase employee awareness and training on the importance of the environment.

On a more practical level, listed below are some changes we have implemented to the way our business operates to meet our environmental policy aims

Paper

-We reduce the use of paper in the office, using paperless systems and cloud file sharing.
-Where we still need to use paper, we seek to buy recycled and recyclable paper products.
-We print double-sided.
-We reuse and recycle all paper where possible.

 

Energy

-We seek to reduce the amount of energy used as much as possible.
-We have switched to a green energy supplier (100% renewable electricity from solar, wind and hydro. And gas is 100% carbon neutral).
-Lights and electrical equipment are switched off when not in use. Power saving settings are used with computers and monitors.
-Energy efficient lighting is used where feasible (e.g. switching over to LEDs).
-During the winter months, we wear an extra jumper in our office and workshop! So we can turn down the heating thermostat and save energy.
-The energy consumption and efficiency of new products is taken into account when purchasing.

 

Office supplies

-We evaluate if the need can be met in another way.
-We evaluate if renting/sharing is an option before purchasing equipment.
-We think about the environmental impact of any new products we intend to purchase.
-We favour more environmentally friendly and efficient products wherever possible.
-We reuse and recycle everything we are able to.
-We use environmentally friendly cleaning materials, where possible.

 

Conscious Sourcing

-We support local sourcing of products to reduce our carbon footprint, wherever possible.
-We favour working with suppliers from the UK, to reduce our carbon footprint and to support fair working practices.
-All of our picture frames are manufactured in the UK.
-Our stretcher bars for canvas frames are made in the UK, with the timber from renewable and managed sources.
-For our acoustic fabric panels, we have introduced a fabric range manufactured here in the UK from 100% recycled polyester (thereby saving virgin raw materials and offering a reduced environmental footprint).

 

Packaging

-We reduce and re-use packaging as much as possible.
-For packaging artwork, we purchase from a UK manufacturer good quality bubble-wrap bags and re-use them to protect artwork (rather than buying cheap rolls of bubble-wrap which are cut to size and then typically thrown away after each use).
-For packaging artwork, we reuse cardboard boxes and re-use protective frame corners.

 

Waste Management

-All ink and toner cartridges are refilled or recycled.
-Electronic waste is specially processed (never taken to landfill).
-We donate items to schools, art programs & non-profits.
-If items cannot be re-used or given away, we practice end of life recycling. For example, say if a picture frame is damaged and cannot be reused, we dismantle the frame to separate the wood from the glass, and then reuse and recycle as appropriate.

 

Transportation

-We reduce the need to travel, restricting to necessity trips only.
-In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of on-site visits we successfully carried out consultations remotely, via phone, email and video conferencing. We found that the video conferencing tech works and it's a greener way of working – so we will continue to promote the use of travel alternatives and hope our customers will support these way ways of working.
-Where site consultations are needed, we try to travel using public transport where feasible.
-Where deliveries are needed with our vehicles, we try to schedule jobs together to save on journey costs and reduce emissions.

 

-We continually improve and monitor environmental performance.
-We incorporate environmental factors into our business decisions.
-We increase employee awareness with relevant environmental training.
-We review and update this policy at least once annually in consultation with staff.