Corsham Town Council cares for the environment through its own practices and by encouraging others. We will endeavour to be as conscientious as possible about conservation, use of resources and recycling.

Our Policy

The Council will keep aware of the environmental regulations that apply to its business and ensure that its legal obligations are met.

The Council will operate suitable procedures and systems in order to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and look at ways to limit its environmental impact.

The Council will communicate this policy to staff and Members through typical channels such as team meetings and work planning. It will encourage suggestions of ways to reduce the environmental impact.

The Council will seek to minimise the amount of commercial waste being produced per employee and waste going to landfill and encourage environmentally friendly ways of working through its processes such as those listed below.

General

• Maximising energy efficiency e.g. through use of low energy light bulbs and insulation of pipes
• Sourcing materials and services locally where possible
• Considering the durability and end of life disposal implications of products before purchasing
• Finding ways to reduce water consumption and checking for leaks
• Promoting and using local recycling initiatives
• Turning off machinery, electrical appliances and lights when not in use
• Minimising travel and encouraging car sharing
• Ensuring suppliers and contractors are aware of our environmental policy
• Disposing of waste properly to prevent pollution or harm
• Carrying out energy audits of Town Hall & Arnold House and take appropriate action

Office and Administration

• Purchasing paper with a minimum of 80% recycled ingredients
• Only printing/photocopying when necessary and recycling waste paper
• Using both sides of paper when possible
• Taking minimum number of promotional leaflets as is necessary and returning or recycling those that are not used
• Recycling used ink cartridges and old mobile phones
• Using email or telephone as a preference to the postal service

Management and maintenance of outdoor amenities

• Using recycled materials where appropriate and using companies such as Wiltshire Wood Recycling
• Using sustainable energy sources (such as solar lighting at Springfield Youth Shelter)
• Assessing chemicals used (e.g. cleaning/gardening) and ensuring their appropriate safe disposal
• Minimising use of harmful pesticides
• Composting and shredding garden waste, and controlled burning only when necessary
• Mulching horticultural waste where possible
• Separating metal waste for recycling
• Planting more trees and using indigenous species as much as possible
• Minimising use of peat-based composts
• Creating, enhancing  and protecting wildlife habitats
• Reviewing ground maintenance regimes to improve biodiversity
• Routine servicing and maintenance of equipment to ensure efficient operation
• Recycling bins at Town Hall for cardboard, plastic and paper