Microsoft and the Environment
From Lauraibm
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(1) | (1) | ||
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| + | ===Environmental Principles=== | ||
| + | Published: May 9, 2006 | ||
| + | |||
| + | At Microsoft, we work actively to protect our natural resources. We have corporate policies and procedures that conserve environmental resources at our facilities and in our products, packaging, and supplier operations. We follow strict policies to ensure that we remain in full compliance with international environmental regulations as well as the specific environmental requirements of each country where we do business. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''Conserve, Reuse, and Recycle''''' | ||
| + | Where feasible, we conserve natural resources through the use of recycled materials and supplies, the efficient use of energy, and the participation in recycling programs for our products after they have served their useful life. We encourage and support the sustainable use of renewable natural resources. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''Reduce and Dispose of Waste''''' | ||
| + | We reduce and where possible eliminate waste through source reduction and recycling at our facilities. All waste shall be handled and disposed of through safe and responsible methods. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''Develop Safe and Sustainable Products''''' | ||
| + | Microsoft develops, manufactures, and markets products that are safe for their intended use. Our environmental policies and practices aim to protect, conserve, or sustain the world’s natural resources as well as protect our customers and the communities in which we live and operate. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''Make Environmental Stewardship Part of Our Business Relationships''''' | ||
| + | At Microsoft, we strive to incorporate our Environmental Principles into our business relationships. We seek similar commitments to the environment from our major suppliers. We participate in industry groups to set industry standards on environmental practices. We strive to keep our customers informed of our efforts and welcome their feedback. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''Continually Improve Our Performance''''' | ||
| + | We set objectives and targets to ensure continuous improvement in our environmental performance. We value employee contributions to our environmental initiatives. We regularly review our business activity and assess our environmental programs, practices, and goals to evaluate our progress and to identify areas where further improvements can be made. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''''Demonstrate Responsibility to Our Stakeholders''''' | ||
| + | We engage our stakeholders concerning our objectives and targets and periodically communicate our progress to our Board, shareholders, customers, and members of the public. | ||
| + | |||
| + | (2) | ||
==Source== | ==Source== | ||
*1. [http://www.microsoft.com/uk/community/environment/ Microsoft and the Environment] | *1. [http://www.microsoft.com/uk/community/environment/ Microsoft and the Environment] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *2. [http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/citizenship/businesspractices/environmentalprinciples.mspx Environmental Principles] | ||
Revision as of 14:48, 10 July 2007
Contents |
Summary
What the Vendor says about itself
Microsoft is conscientious about caring for and sustaining the environment as a whole - whether in the way we maintain our workplace and the area surrounding our offices, or in the way we produce software.
The local area - office buildings and surrounds
We believe in the importance of sound stewardship of our buildings and the local surroundings. To this end:
- We recycle 90% of the content of our UK office bins. These efforts save 240 trees a year
- We reduce energy usage in our buildings through movement-activated lighting and the automatic switching-off of monitors
- Our head office Campus in Reading is maintained to the highest standards and our on-site team is committed to providing an environment which supports and encourages local wildlife and fauna
We have an annually-reviewed travel plan for the Reading Campus, recognizing the need to reduce car use and the beneficial effects this will have on traffic congestion in Reading Thames Valley Park. The travel plan advocates cycle paths, car sharing and the maintenance of a shuttle service between Thames Valley Park and central Reading.
Microsoft promotes its travel plan policies to staff, contractors and visitors, encouraging the reduction of car use. We are committed to continually evaluating, reviewing and updating the policy.
Software production and sustainable development
At Microsoft we aim to use technologies which are friendly to the environment, enabling people who use our products to work and play in the digital age while living in harmony with the needs of our natural world.
Our environmental policy at Microsoft European Operations Centre is to:
- Pursue the principles of sustainable development - development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
- Conserve, reuse and recycle. We aim to minimise the use of material, supplies and energy, ensuring wherever possible that our products contain renewable or recyclable materials and components
- Minimise significant waste in all parts of the business - and as World Class Manufacturers, we aim for 'waste free' processes
- Encourage similar environmental commitments from our major suppliers
- Encourage employee involvement in environmental action
- Encourage our freight forwarders to adopt an environmentally-sound transport policy
- Assess continuously the environmental impact of our products and operations
- Set objectives and targets to ensure continuous improvement in environmental performance
- Comply with relevant environmental legislation, regulations and licensing conditions
In accordance with this policy, Microsoft European Operations Centre complies with the requirements of BS7750 Environmental Management Systems.
(1)
Environmental Principles
Published: May 9, 2006
At Microsoft, we work actively to protect our natural resources. We have corporate policies and procedures that conserve environmental resources at our facilities and in our products, packaging, and supplier operations. We follow strict policies to ensure that we remain in full compliance with international environmental regulations as well as the specific environmental requirements of each country where we do business.
Conserve, Reuse, and Recycle Where feasible, we conserve natural resources through the use of recycled materials and supplies, the efficient use of energy, and the participation in recycling programs for our products after they have served their useful life. We encourage and support the sustainable use of renewable natural resources.
Reduce and Dispose of Waste We reduce and where possible eliminate waste through source reduction and recycling at our facilities. All waste shall be handled and disposed of through safe and responsible methods.
Develop Safe and Sustainable Products Microsoft develops, manufactures, and markets products that are safe for their intended use. Our environmental policies and practices aim to protect, conserve, or sustain the world’s natural resources as well as protect our customers and the communities in which we live and operate.
Make Environmental Stewardship Part of Our Business Relationships At Microsoft, we strive to incorporate our Environmental Principles into our business relationships. We seek similar commitments to the environment from our major suppliers. We participate in industry groups to set industry standards on environmental practices. We strive to keep our customers informed of our efforts and welcome their feedback.
Continually Improve Our Performance We set objectives and targets to ensure continuous improvement in our environmental performance. We value employee contributions to our environmental initiatives. We regularly review our business activity and assess our environmental programs, practices, and goals to evaluate our progress and to identify areas where further improvements can be made.
Demonstrate Responsibility to Our Stakeholders We engage our stakeholders concerning our objectives and targets and periodically communicate our progress to our Board, shareholders, customers, and members of the public.
(2)
