Altofts Tree Services are committed to our environmental responsibilities. We strive at all times to work to the highest environmental standards.
We work within guidelines set out in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000, Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 and Part III of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. WCA 1981 & CROW 2000 encompass the protection of nesting birds, bats, badgers, newts and many other species. We inspect all our sites for signs of such wildlife before any work commences. If protected species or their roosts, nests, dens etc are discovered before or during a job, all work must stop and the information must be passed to the site supervisor who will in turn contact the relevant authorities for further guidance/instruction.
All projects are carefully assessed and planned to minimise the impact to wildlife and surrounding landscape. We are frequently involved in conservation projects, caring for veteran trees, creating standing and lying deadwood habitats as well as habitat piles and undertaking sensitive work within SSSIs.
As part of our positive environmental practice, we encourage and undertake planting projects. Specifically promoting native species, in some cases to improve biodiversity, others are to complement the existing indigenous flora and fauna.
We use bio-degradable chainsaw oil and Alkylate petrol which is free from sulphur, benzene & aromatic solvents
We try to minimise the amount waste generated from all our operations, both out on site & with in our own yard:
Recycling bins in the yard for cans, plastic, paper & glass. We collect rain water to use on planting stock.
Arisings are turned into gardening mulch, animal bedding, logs, planks, sculptures etc.
Any waste generated is separated and disposed of at a licensed waste disposal site. Any waste oils or chemicals will be disposed of by an approved, licensed chemical disposal company.
Our vehicles and machinery are in good and safe working order. Regular checks are undertaken with special attention given to oil and fluid leakage. We use plant nappies on site to avoid any accidents during refuelling
In the unlikely event of a fuel, oil or chemical spillage all vehicles are equipped with an approved spillage kit & method statements include contact numbers for the environment agency. A comprehensive spill kit is also available in the yard.
All employees and sub-contractors are expected to adhere to these statements of policy.
Altofts Tree Services are committed to monitoring environmental best practise and developing further systems and processes to continually improve our environmental performance.
Karl Stephenson
February 2010
