Sustainability Policy

1. Scope 

This policy addresses how Continuant is committed to protecting and improving the environment by recycling commonly used materials, reducing energy use and disposal costs, and demonstrating our commitment to sustainable practices.

2. Purpose 

This policy provides guidance to realistically and comprehensively reduce, reuse, recycle, protect the environment and save money.  The Facilities team provides a number of services through maintenance, operations, and energy service contracting to help reduce consumption through mechanical means, managers and employees have a responsibility to reduce individual impacts by adopting conservation measures.

3. Summary

A.  Energy

1. The Continuant team occupies office space 24 x 7 supporting our global customers.  Throughout the facility, many lights and other electronics remain on after core business hours, however lights, electronics and appliances not required are turned off.  
2. Incandescent and fluorescent lamps were replaced with LED lamps, reducing power consumption.
3. Skylights were installed during the remodeling to reduce energy costs and consumption and the demand for unsustainable power that is currently challenging the health of the environment.
4. Light sensors operate all external security lights turning on at sunset and off at sunrise.
5. Programmable thermostats are installed in every department, automatically adjusting the temperature of the workplace during occupied and unoccupied times.  Thermostats are programmed to turn on 30 minutes before and after the core hours.
6. Installed motion light sensors in Conference Rooms and Training rooms.
7. HVAC units are inspected, cleaned and filters changed quarterly or sooner when required.

B. Recycle

1. Discarded cardboard is placed in the designated recycle container and pickup twice a week by D.M. Recycling.  Recycling cardboard saves money on waste disposal costs.
2. Seven paper collection containers are positioned throughout the office and picked up monthly by PROSHRED.  The certified paper document destruction is provided on-site and 100% of the material is recycled and eventually made into other paper products.  
3. Spent batteries and light bulbs identified for recycling are staged in the warehouse and scheduled for picked up by Batteries Plus Bulbs, keeping in full compliance with federal, state, municipal, EPA and DOT regulations governing the disposal and recycling.
4. Toner Cartridges purchased from Brother (Energy Start® partner) when empty are placed in the used toner cartridge bag, sealed with tape and placed in the new toner box.  The box is sealed and the attached pre-paid shipping label is placed on the box and shipped to Brother.   We have a maintenance contract with Pacific Office Automation and they collect the empty toner cartridges.  
5. Scrap metals aluminum, copper, steel and tin are collected and staged in the warehouse and picked up by Tacoma Metals or Schnitzer Steel.  We recycle metal to conserve natural resources which reduces greenhouse gas emissions using less energy than making metal from virgin ore.
6. We have a strong social and environmental responsibility to contribute to a cleaner planet and we comply with the 5R concept which lays the foundation and sets the guideline for actively participating in global efforts to:
   a. Refuse, avoid purchasing environmentally burdensome materials whenever possible
   b. Reduce waste material.
   c. Reuse waste material without processing.
   d. Reform, reuse materials in different forms.
   e. Recycle, reuse materials as resources.

4. Responsibilities 

A.  Measure energy consumption and expenditures.

B.  Maintain equipment for maximum efficiency.

C.  Educate employees about energy use and costs.

D.  Turn it off, turn it down and only use a much energy as needed.

E.  Increase recycling efforts, providing information, education, and resources to support the recycling of common materials.