At Arce Clima, we understand that environmental stewardship is a vital aspect of our mission. We have developed a comprehensive Good Environmental Practices Manual to fulfil this responsibility. This detailed guide outlines various key principles and recommendations that embody our commitment to sustainability and its integration into our daily operations. These guidelines serve as a clear roadmap, helping us make informed decisions and take appropriate actions to minimize environmental risks, promote resource conservation, and ensure sustainable management of our business activities.
These actions involve implementing guidelines within the organization, particularly focusing on the behaviour and habits of the people who take part in it. In certain instances, these actions are straightforward and require minimal effort from those who adhere to them, yet they have a significant positive impact on our environment. Presented below are some of the guidelines that are outlined in this document:
1. The triple “R”, is a classic for us: we strive to minimize waste by reducing, reusing, and recycling whenever feasible.
At Arce Clima, we actively foster a culture of waste reduction, material reuse, and recycling. To support this effort, we have implemented a range of containers and receptacles, enabling our team to actively contribute to environmental preservation and collaborate toward achieving our environmental objectives. Responsibly handling items such as batteries, ink cartridges, fluorescent lights, metals, and other types of waste is paramount, and we ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. Furthermore, we have organized campaigns to collect old mobile phones, plastic caps for charitable causes, and damaged clothing, which we transform into new garments suitable for further use. For further information regarding these initiatives, please refer to the following details.
2. Utilizing energy efficiently, without unnecessary waste.
Effective energy management plays a crucial role in minimizing our carbon footprint. We prioritize the use of eco-friendly materials and products, diligently turning off lights and equipment when they are not in use. Additionally, we make it a point to adjust lighting levels to match the task at hand and perform regular maintenance to prevent any unnecessary light loss. These are just a few of the strategies we employ to optimize our energy consumption.
In our ongoing efforts at Arce Clima, we have recently made a significant decision: the installation of 120 solar panels on the rooftop of our A Coruña headquarters. Each of these panels has a capacity of 450 Wp, enabling us to generate clean and renewable energy. Here are some details regarding their performance and output:
Potential savings: 34,239 kWh annually (65% of the energy produced by the photovoltaic installation -> 26.25% of the total energy consumed by Arce Clima).
Estimated annual energy discharged into the electrical grid: 18,437kWh (35% of the energy produced by the photovoltaic installation).
3 .Using motor vehicles only when necessary.
At our company, we actively promote the use of sustainable transportation methods as part of our commitment to reducing harmful gas emissions. We strongly advise our team members to drive calmly and efficiently, while also ensuring proper and regular maintenance of their vehicles. This approach helps us minimize both atmospheric and noise pollution. Moreover, we have taken steps to install electric car chargers at select office locations in recent years.
4. Noise is also pollution, which is why we reduce it to the minimum possible.
While our operations do not generate significant noise levels, we must take proactive steps to minimize any potential noise pollution that could impact the quality of life. We have implemented measures to mitigate noise during our activities, ensuring that they are conducted primarily during daylight hours and as close to midday as feasible. This practice is particularly vital when operating in areas with high acoustic sensitivity, such as healthcare, educational, cultural, and protected spaces. Additionally, we extend this consideration to locations of moderate sensitivity, including residential areas, hotels, and special protection zones like historical centres.
5. Water saving measures.
Water is an invaluable resource that we handle with utmost responsibility. To ensure its efficient utilization, we have implemented a range of water-saving measures. This includes the installation of water-saving devices, such as timers or presence detection systems on faucets, as well as the use of diffusers and pressure limiters. Moreover, we actively engage our employees through awareness campaigns, emphasizing the importance of avoiding waste and promoting efficient water usage across all our operations.
This serves as a brief overview of our Good Environmental Practices Manual, which can be accessed in its entirety on our website. By implementing these measures, we not only play a role in preserving and safeguarding our environment but also foster a healthier work atmosphere and cultivate stronger connections with our community.
