TCS and the Environment
From Lauraibm
Contents |
MI Summary
TCS outline a clear environmental policy covering air, water, natural resources, people and their interrelation. The environmental policy aims at improving environment management by setting higher standards and wishes to reduce pollution by minimising the waste generation from business operations.
The policy is implemented using a three dimensional framework which covers employees (who are well educated on how work practices affect the environment) management (who define specific environmental goals and measure performance towards them) and the work place.
TCS also shows dedication to ongoing material management, this involves efforts in the areas of reducing waste at the source, reusing materials wherever possible, recycling and purchasing products with recycled content.
It can be seen that TCS are well aware of environmental issues and are taking steps towards addressing these. However, despite clearly outlining their environmental policy the corporation seem to be lagging behind some competitors with regards to utilising renewable sources and reducing their footprint in areas of business travel.
What the Vendor says about itself
TCS Environmental Policy
TCS' commitment to environment stems from the TATA Group's abiding concern for environment and society. TCS is in the Information Technology (IT) consulting business, which by its nature of operation has low impact on the environment. TCS will strive to provide a healthy work environment to all its employees, and conduct environment friendly business at all its offices. To achieve these goals, TCS has published this Environment Policy. In line with its continuous improvement process initiative, TCS will continuously enhance its environment policy, which encompasses air, water, natural resources, people and their interrelation.
TCS' environment policy aims at improving environment management by setting higher standards, and optimising the use of power, water, consumables, and other natural resources. It also aims at reducing pollution by minimising the waste generation from business operations. The policy focuses on environment conservation as an essential element of TCS' business philosophy and infrastructure.
The main objectives of the policy are:
- Respect health, safety, and environment issues of employees, clients, vendors and local community.
- Optimise energy and power consumption, and the use of consumables and hardware through recycling or reuse.
- Increase environment awareness in employees, and motivate them to participate in and promote organization endeavours to protect the environment.
- Integrate environment conservation, health and safety measures in the design of new facilities.
- Comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations concerning environment, safety and health.
- Drive common solutions, consistency and continual improvement, for more efficient and effective Health, Safety and Environment measures.
- Monitor policy implementation, and report performance to stake holders periodically.
All TCS employees are expected to support the Environment Policy. The policy will be implemented at all TCS offices, within a three dimensional framework comprising Employees, Management, and Work-place, as mentioned below:
Employees All TCS employees should be concerned about the environment. TCS will make all its employees aware on how work practices affect the environment. For example, wasteful use of electricity or paper at work place depletes natural resources and adds to pollution caused by the generating/manufacturing units. Similarly safe work practices protect the environment by mitigating health risks and accidents. As members of the TATA family, and responsible citizens of the country, TCS employees should observe environment- friendly behaviour, both in and outside the work place.
Management TCS management will define health, safety and environment goals and objectives, identify roles and responsibilities for policy implementation, measure performance, and allocate necessary resources. It will integrate resource planning with health, safety and environment concerns. Two-way communication will be established with employees, clients and vendors to promote and share health, safety and environment initiatives. The Management will also initiate ISO 14001 certification for different locations in a phased manner.
Work Place TCS managers will review the work environment and suggest improvements in line with this policy. The policy will also initiate energy conservation, waste recycling, and paper reduction, in priority areas. The measures and initiatives emerging as a result of this policy will be documented as processes. These processes will also ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, and environment regulations in all offices of TCS. A continual improvement plan will be initiated to achieve excellence in environment management.
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Waste Reduction, Reuse, Recycle, and Green Purchasing Policy
Background
TCS is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its operations through appropriate ongoing material management. This calls for a conscious, effort across TCS in the following areas:
Reduction of waste at source: All Delivery Centres and offices must manage operations to reduce the quantity or toxicity of waste produced. Such measures include, but are not limited to:
- Printing reports and documents, whenever possible, on both sides of the paper
- Updating mailing and distribution lists periodically to avoid overrun; use of e-mail whenever appropriate
- Giving preferential purchasing consideration to products that are reusable, refillable, repairable, more durable, less toxic, recyclable, and which avoid excess packaging.
Reuse of material wherever possible: All products and materials must be reused wherever possible.
Recycling: It is the responsibility of every associate to separate, identified recyclable materials and place them in appropriate recycling containers. Office paper, corrugated cardboard, and aluminum beverage cans must always be recycled in the appropriately marked container. Other materials are to be recycled whenever feasible and wherever containers are provided. Reuse is preferable to recycling.
Purchasing of products with recycled content: All offices across TCS must purchase and use products manufactured from recycled materials whenever feasible. In particular, recycled paper products must be used. It is important that all recycled purchases be reported to the Admin/Purchase Department across TCS for record keeping and reporting purposes.
In addition to the specific efforts mentioned above, all Delivery Centres, and offices are encouraged to designate one associate as a Recycling Monitor who will serve as liaison to the Office of Head – Health Safety Environment.
Implementation
The Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling will work with the Recycling Monitors and the Delivery Centre associates to make recycling and waste reduction as convenient as possible. Active participation will trim unnecessary waste disposal costs, meet mandated waste reduction requirements, and will help the TCS meet its commitment to reduce the negative impact of operations on the environment. This policy must be made available to all associates of Admin and Purchase Department.
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Targets for 2006-2007
Targets for the year 2006-2007
Electricity - 5% reduction in consumption Water - 5% reduction in consumption
We also propose to undertake recycling of organic waste and we hope to achieve a target of 225 Tons by December 2007.
Targets achieved:
- This year we have achieved 5% savings in electricity consumption and thus brought down our CO2 emission levels.
- We have recycled 44713 cubic meters of waste water and are reutilizing the same for gardening and air-conditioners. Thus saving precious water resource.
- We have introduced rain water harvesting in our new facilities and we are trying to include older facilities as well. We are also examining use of solar energy to bring down emission levels further.
- 100% of all suitable PCs available for donation are donated to charitable causes.
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