Symphony extends environmental measures

Symphony has extended its programme of environmental measures to incorporate initiatives across all aspects of its operation and supply chain.

Alan Kinnes, Symphony's Social Housing Sales Director, comments: "In an ever more environmentally aware market place, it is vital that we support sustainable production and help the social housing sector deliver stringent Government EcoHomes standards.

"It is also important that we ensure our own workplace and operations are as environmentally sound as possible, so we are constantly measuring and reviewing our performance." Symphony's comprehensive programme of environmentally-sound practices now includes:.

- Fuel-efficient delivery trucks: working with its logistics contract partner, Symphony has invested in a new fleet of product delivery vehicles which are among the cleanest, most fuel-efficient trucks on Britain's roads.

The Bluetec Euro 5 Mercedes Actros utilise the latest SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology to convert polluting nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water.

- Effective route planning: Symphony has invested in new software enabling deliveries to be scheduled more efficiently, contributing to reductions in CO2 emissions.

- Minimising product transport by road: one of Symphony's board suppliers is based in Belgium and to reduce emissions, timber is transported from managed forests by canal to the mill for processing and then to the panel production plant.

From there, goods are transported 18 miles to the dockside, then across the North Sea by ferry.

The journey by road from Hull to its assembly plants in Yorkshire is less than 50 miles.

- Recycling and re-use: Symphony operates to stringent waste management targets with some 80% of its waste segregated for recycling and re-use, including burning scrap wood to heat its factories.

Waste from its Rotherham plant is used to line sewage filtration beds for local water utilities.

As a member of Valpak, Symphony also complies with stringent waste packaging regulations, keeping packaging to a minimum and all its suppliers must follow the company's environmental policy guidelines on recycling, packaging and waste.

- Environmental management: in addition to assessing Symphony for Chain of Custody certification, BM TRADA regularly audits the company's environmental management system.

That includes a timber purchasing policy, which means that Symphony will not knowingly source any species prohibited under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES),or forest areas where traditional or civil rights are violated.

That restriction also applies to wood harvested from genetically modified trees, illegally harvested wood and wood from natural forests which have been converted to plantations or non-forest use.

- Energy saving appliances: Symphony's partnership with Electrolux Major Appliances ensures the company is providing appliances which minimize the amount of electricity, water and detergent used.

Teaming up with world-leading manufacturer, InSinkErator, Symphony also offers an extensive range of food waste disposers, deliver some 20% reduction in household waste, cutting the volume that ends up going to landfill.

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