Social housing provider Orbit has received ISO14001:2015 certification by the British Standards Institute for its environmental management system
The ISO14001:2015 certification specifies the requirements for an environmental management system that can be used by an organization to enhance its environmental performance.
The certification process includes an audit of management systems, including policy, procedures, training, communications, and leadership, and also an audit of compliance and best practice across offices, developments and communal spaces.
Studies show that as much as 70% of total office waste is recyclable; however, only 7.5% reaches the recycling facility.
The achievement is the result of 18 months of work uplifting standards by Orbit
ISO 14001:2015 is intended for use by an organisation seeking to manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner that contributes to the environmental pillar of sustainability.
Achieving this certification is the culmination of more than 18 months of work for David March, head of environmental sustainability at Orbit, his team and the Orbit Earth Steering Group.
Orbit Earth is Orbit’s environmental sustainability programme, which is actively aiming to enhance the environment, creating and improving places and spaces for communities to thrive.
The objectives of the programme are to achieve net zero carbon emissions, enhance green spaces to improve their quality and biodiversity and attain sustainable consumption to manage resources, materials and products responsibly.
March commented: “Achieving ISO14001: 2015 certification is a really strong endorsement of Orbit’s management approach. It reflects the clear leadership of the senior management team and the passion and commitment of all our colleagues in reducing our environmental impacts and becoming a more responsible business.”
Orbit has implemented waste reduction measures on site
In 2021 and 2022, a partnership between Orbit and Community Wood Recycling helped save more than 200 tonnes of unused wood from the waste stream and a further 103 tonnes in CO2 emissions by replacing skips with collection trucks each year.
