4-2 - SUSTAINABLE POLICIES

Sustainable Development is the idea of thinking long term when making decisions. They are decisions that protect the environment, promote social responsibility, respect culture differences, and provide an economic benefit (Essentials of Contemporary Management, Jones,George, Rock, Haddad). With my current employer sustainable development is involved in every decision we make so much that we employ a sustainability coordinator. I have chosen three ideas that I have for our own fleet department.

1. Operating a "Green Fleet".
2. Planning for future building and shop expansion.
3. Fleet purchasing policy.

                                                    Green Fleet Sustainability Policy

Purpose

• To reduce emissions, fuel consumption, and overall cost of operating vehicles and equipment.

Stakeholders

• This policy applies to all staff and departments.

Procedure

• Practice and enforce anti-idling policy, to reduce emissions and reduce fuel usage. Reduced idling time will reduce wear and service intervals on vehicles and equipment.
• Reduce the number of vehicles taken to one job site if applicable. Encourage the use of multi passenger vehicles
• Continue to look for alternatives when purchasing new equipment, more fuel efficient options.
• Have staff participate in Green Fleet driver training. http://www.capilanou.ca/sustainability/Transportation/FleetSmart-Driver-Training/

                                                Future building and expansion policy

Purpose

• To ensure long term use of new buildings and expansions.
• To ensure the right space for the right cost.
• Reduce the environmental impact caused by the building process and the building itself.

Stakeholders

• All staff and departments
• All contractors and sub contractors used in the building process.
• All surrounding communities.

Procedure

• Explore and assess all current and future building needs.
• Encourage staff input on building design and layout.
• Look for contractors with strong ethical and environmental policies.
• Reduce carbon footprint by exploring options in building design, natural lighting and heat sources, collection of rain water for landscaping irrigation for example
• Use low maintenance landscaping to reduce future maintenance cost.

      
                                                       Fleet Shop Purchasing Policy

Purpose

• To look for suppliers that will provide long term support and services for the fleet shop.
• To reduce the number of suppliers, in order to reduce the amount of courier cost
• To purchase more environmentally friendly products.

Stakeholders

• All fleet staff

Procedure

• Identify suppliers that are reputable and have a good service rating with customers.
• Research suppliers that provide a variety of products and will deliver.
• Reduce number of courier trips by ordering multiple parts/supplies at once, when available.
• Look for opportunities to purchase and implement new products that will reduce the environmental impact of shop operations

Sustainability is all about making decisions for the future; the three policies I have created can affect the future of the organization in many different ways. The green fleet policy will affect the environment, the community, and company operations by reducing equipment wear and thus saving money. Future building policy is based on the idea of making a building self-contained and not hearing the statement "we've outgrown it" after one year, this policy will affect all contexts, the community, the environment, company operations, economic health, and of course human beings. With the right building to work out of, employees can be happier in the work space and more productive. The purchasing policy for the fleet shop has a goal of reducing the cost of products and services, and looking for new environment safe products while not reducing the quality of products needed. Sustainability is here to stay and understanding the principles is going to aid in any organizational decision or idea, which I believe is the right step forward.