Mindsystems - Environment Plan

Environment Plan

The most valuable commodity we share is the environment around us. Mindsystems believes we all have a role to play in the protection of the environment.

By taking positive action now, we can help ensure a happy and healthy future for everyone.

We are committed to the concept of sustainability and we support this through the Mindsystems Sustainability Plan. So, what does this mean in real terms?

.'Green Alert' Mode of Operation:

Mindsystems uses the most environmentally friendly operating methods possible.

As with every business, almost every minute of the day we are consuming resources (i.e. electricity) that ultimately cause carbon emissions.

We offset our carbon emissions 100% through proven long term sustainability programmes.

We also go one step further by carbon offsetting every physical product purchase our customers make and even providing the option to do more than offset, but to actually make a purchase 'carbon negative'.

.Carbon Off Set Matrix:

Mindsystems uses the following matrix to offset carbon emissions:

100% Green Offset

Under Review

Not Compliant

Description

Multiplier

Total

Status

Method

Emission kg CO2

Office consumables:

Paper, printing materials
Office stationary / sundry consumables
Sundry cardboard / paper products
General paper waste
Cleaning products
Used packaging
On shipment goods from vendors

1.0

5.2

Carbon Neutral Donation to offset total emissions caused.
Plastic recycling.
Paper / cardboard recycling.
Selection where possible of environmentally sensitive suppliers.

Postage, shipping and deliverables (external):

Postage materials
Product boxes
CDs and production of media
Paper based manuals
Accessories
International imports
Sundry packaging / repackaging
packaging support materials
Averaged transport (petrol)
Averaged transport (vehicle maintenance)

.80

10.4

Carbon Neutral Donation to offset total emissions caused.
Point of sale customer offset plan.
Plastic recycling.
Paper / cardboard recycling.
Selection where possible of environmentally sensitive suppliers.

Primary services:

Electricity supply
Gas supply (NA)
Water supply
Air conditioning / heating

1.40

N/A

100% Renewable energy offset option provided by electricity/gas provider, therefore this aspect of the plan is channeled via the utility provider.
Water conservation instructions to employees.
Water saving devices in bathrooms / kitchen.

Telecommunications / IT Infrastructure:

Data centre computers
Product boxes
International imports
Sundry packaging / repackaging
packaging support materials
Averaged transport (petrol)
Averaged transport (vehicle maintenance)

.80

10.7

Carbon Neutral Donation to offset total emissions caused.
Monitor off policy after hours.
Unnecessary lighting switched off outside of hours.
Power efficient light globes used.
Download only product use encouraged through free secure backup systems (Mindsystems Software Vault).
Power save settings enforced on computers when practical.

Transport:

Car travel
Public transport
Couriers
Other (excludes product dispatch)
Airline travel

1.60

26.8

Carbon Neutral Donation to offset total emissions caused.
Work from home policy in place.
Use of telecommunications including video, when possible, to eliminate need for physical travel.
Sponsorship of public transport use over car use, location of office close to accessible public transport services.
Car travel minimized through use of telecommunications services.

.Internal Strategy:

Strategies for lowering carbon dioxide emissions include:

Whenever possible, we use of broadband technologies to replace the need for airline travel and 'in person' meetings or training sessions.
Selection of electricity providers that guarantee power supplies that are certified as being 'Carbon Offset' and generated with renewable power sources.
Work from home schemes to enable some support staff to provide remote support (using broadband voice/data technologies), therefore cutting 'travel to work' emissions such as petrol use.
When required to travel, sponsorship/subsidy to encourage use of public transport systems.
Elimination of printed paper forms, filing systems and other unnecessary office stationary in favor of electronic storage.
Preferential selection of stationary and paper products from certified renewable supply providers.

What about unavoidable emissions, how are these offset?

There are some unavoidable emissions caused by the consumption of resources such as electricity, some paper products, air and land travel and other sundry activities. These activities are recorded and audited by our partner 'Carbon Neutral to produce an average monthly emissions rate. Mindsystems then provides funding based on this that is used directly to plant new trees. The current Mindsystems yearly estimated production of carbon dioxide is 22.9 tonnes per year. As an average 1 tonne of emissions can be offset by planting and maintaining around 6-7 trees dependant on the planting site.

Why tree planting and not solar power or renewable energy?

We do support renewable energy sources via our electricity providers, but in our view the formal carbon trading scheme is somewhat flawed. We believe the positive action of planting around 6 trees for every tonne of emissions we create is a far more sustainable and tangible activity. Plating trees via our partner 'Carbon Neutral also has the secondary positive effects of combating soil salinity and enhancing natural habitat for local wildlife.

Additionally, we believe schemes that focus purely on renewable's such as solar power are often deceptive as they give a positive impression of carbon emission reduction. They often fail however to describe the high production and maintenance costs involved in such energy sources, and fail to mention that in some cases the cost of producing this 'clean' energy is often more than actual environmental benefit it delivers.

.More information?

For more information please email us at msp@mindsystems.com.au