Environmental Policy Statement

In the course of our work we are continually working in the 'environment' & therefore not only do we take appropriate actions to ensure that all the current laws are provided for in our work practice. These include Health & Safety, but also the planning laws in regard to the 'Conservation Areas' and 'Tree Preservation Orders' and the 'Countryside & Wildlife Act'.

The above laws and regulations are taken into account in every job that we carry out. If we damage a nest unintentionally we have the capability to attend to injured or displaced animals or birds. Clare Overhill has the necessary training to do this.

All equipment is carried properly and fuels are in their appropriate containers with a specialised mop-up kit in case of spillage.

We take our job very seriously and have brought in a number of environmental practices to cover those areas not catered for in the current legislation. Our interaction with the environment goes further to reduce our impact on the ecology of the worked area.

What follows are the 'Ecological' measures instigated by us to ensure minimal environmental impact.

1. FUEL

WE NOW RUN BIO-DIESEL IN OUR TRUCKS & CHIPPER

100% IN THE CHIPPER 50% plus IN THE TRUCKS

2. BIO-DEGRADABLE & SYNTHETIC OILS

Bio-Degradable & Semi - Synthetic Chainsaw Oils

Recycled & semi-synthetic Engine Oil

3. ENGINES

Use of Diesel engines using a min. of 50% Bio-diesel

- reducing particulates reducing carbon release

Limited only use of Petrol engines

4. WILDLIFE

Basic Wildlife Survey before starting works in any garden or work site

Advice about Wildlife - bats, birds plus insects

Wildlife rescue skills in case of injury/displacement whilst working

5. TREE PLANTING

Advice on Planting trees, Indigenous Species & Local Provenance

Fruit Trees, Rare Gloucestershire & National trees

Repair & maintenance of all fruit trees & bushes

Hedgerows, mixed species, local provenance etc.

6. PARTS & MATERIALS

Purchases of parts & materials are sourced whenever possible from companies that also have ‘environmental policies’.

7. MACHINERY & VEHICLES

We keep our machines & vehicles for long periods.

This reduces our Carbon Input* as nearly all the machinery & vehicles are 2nd user.

Our cars are all Historic Vehicles,

some of them rescued from the dismantler and repaired/renovated and put back into full working order - this also reduces Carbon Input.

7. POISON & INSECTICIDES

No Poisons or Insecticides are used.

Many of the diseases pass naturally if you let them. Other problems can be solved by use of approved Organic applications.

8. RECYCLING

90% of all materials Recycled.

*Carbon Input is the amount of Carbon released & materials used in order to make the components of vehicles, machinery and buildings.

The above measures monitored by John Rhodes.