Environmental Sustainability Policy

The RCPAQAP aspires to minimise its impact on our environment and maximise the effective use of resources. We strive to achieve this by enhancing communication and awareness of our efforts in accordance with this policy and fostering responsible environmental behaviour among staff, volunteers, and customers at all levels.

The RCPAQAP is committed not only to complying with applicable regulations and legislation in all its operations, but to minimise risks and impacts through the development of robust and documented systems to implement, measure, monitor, and disseminate excellent environmental performance both within its operations and to the broader community.

Purpose

This Environmental Sustainability Policy aims to integrate a philosophy of sustainable development into all the RCPAQAP’s activities and to establish and promote sound environmental practice in our operations.

Policy

The RCPAQAP is committed to minimising its impact on our environment through:

  • Providing a safe and healthy workplace;
  • Applying a systematic approach that is consistent with the international environment management system standard ISO 14001;
  • Complying with applicable local, state and national legal obligations, including but not limited to those provided by SafeWork NSW and the Environmental Protection Authority;
  • Communicating this policy to relevant internal and external stakeholders, enhancing awareness among our employees, volunteers, and users, educating and motivating them to act in an environmentally responsible manner, and ensuring responsibility is assigned and understood;
  • Being an environmentally responsible neighbour in our community;
  • Reducing the consumption of natural and manufactured resources in daily operations by reducing, reusing and recycling in line with the RCPAQAP Waste and Recycling Management Policy and Plastics Action Plan;
  • Ensuring waste is disposed of appropriately and dedicated waste streams, including e-waste at designated e-waste centres;
  • Identifying equipment which has the potential to be reused, donated or recycled;
  • Committing to the principles of pollution prevention;
  • Ensuring the responsible use of energy throughout the organisation;
  • Participating in efforts to improve environmental protection and understanding;
  • Taking steps to continually improve environmental performance by monitoring and measuring processes such as water and energy use, air quality, waste streams, freezer temperatures and printer usage;
  • Working with suppliers who promote sound environmental practices and considering environmental management and sustainability practices in the selection and evaluation process;
  • Conducting rigorous audits, evaluations, and self-assessments of the implementation of this policy;
  • Demonstrated benchmarking to world best practice through certification to My Green Lab, recognised internationally as the gold standard for laboratory sustainability and a key measure towards a zero-carbon future;
  • Identifying potential climate risks and opportunities in line with the Climate Change Amendments to existing and new ISO Management System Standards that reflect ISO’s commitment to Climate Action;
  • Where possible, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals in relation to the environment and sustainable practices (SDG6 Clean water and sanitation; SDG7 Affordable and clean energy; SDG9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure; SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities; SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production; SDG13 Climate action);
  • Establishing clear short, medium, and long-term targets and strategies for reducing carbon and becoming carbon neutral or net zero;
  • Reviewing this policy on an annual basis to ensure relevance is maintained and measuring targets and performance as part of that review.