Environmental Sustainability

Being a high user of vehicles, generally in an urban environment, Continental Landscapes has an active policy of transport review to ensure the most sustainable approach is taken wherever possible to our transport operations. We are positive advocates of car sharing as an excellent way to approach sustainable mobility, avoiding waste of fuel and emission release, while contributing to the overall reduction of heavy traffic. We support the uptake of such good practice both at our Head Office and company-wide, where the proximity among employees’ dwellings facilitates the sharing of commuting routes. Our promotion of the Cycle2Work scheme also contributes to our endeavor, offering employees the opportunity to hire-purchase a bike at competitive prices for commuting to work. As well as reducing our indirect carbon emissions the scheme also promotes healthy living. We advocate the use of on-line conference systems wherever there is not a real need for attendees of meetings or training sessions to be in one physical place. Not only does this practice reduce our carbon footprint, there is a significant reduction in management hours lost to driving.

We strive to reduce the hazards and risks associated with pesticide use, and look to reduce the variety and type of pesticides we use.We promote an integrated approach to the control of weeds within planted areas, combining cultural methods including manual cultivation and the use of mulches and soil barriers. Following site-based trials, we offer the latest non-chemical weed control methods for hard surfaces including hot foam and hot water, and other heat-based treatments. For all weed control operations we undertake site-specific risk assessment and a product options evaluation to ensure that all local considerations, including drainage, watercourses, surface type, statutory designations and available resources, are matched with the most appropriate method of control or combinations thereof.

Sustainability is a term which has developed a range of definitions over the years. However one of the original definitions is still considered to be the most clear: “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Bruntland Report, 1992). With this in mind we work with our clients to look at a variety of management practices which we can implement to deliver a more sustainable service to the benefit of all:

Sustainable planting: For a number of years we have been advocating the use of herbaceous perennials, shrubs and grasses within parks where there may be budgetary constraints on seasonal bedding. As well as helping to reduce annual expenditure there are also environmental benefits with reduced use of compost, often peat based, and reduced emissions from delivering plants from site to site
Energy efficiency: Continental Landscapes is always striving to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste. We operate under industry-recognised management systems ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 50001 (Energy Management), for which we are verified by external auditors
Paper consumption: We are always looking at ways to reduce our paper consumption. We utilise a variety of software systems, including our own bespoke ATAK Management System, to record and store data, as well as allow multiple users to review and edit the same document, minimising the number of copies to print. We have developed a paperless work allocation and monitoring system to enable staff to record their daily activities using mobile devices rather than on paper. We strongly encourage our office staff to print only when necessary, and double-sided and in black and white where possible.