Management Systems

We can shape our environment. Environmental management has been a core discipline within Deb for many years.

The evidence:

• Deb’s decision making is built around a 15-point document called the ‘Deb Direction’. The second point states ‘We can shape our environment’. This statement is a core tenet for Deb – what we, as employees and managers, decide to do can result in real changes beyond the walls of our own offices, laboratories, factories and warehouses.
• Our sites have designated Environmental Systems Managers. These individuals are responsible for ensuring adherence to standards, and developing improvement programmes.
• Our factories have team-based environmental improvement programmes, which include regular cross-functional meetings, and communication of activities to all employees. These teams have delivered exceptional results in areas as diverse as energy conservation, waste reduction, recycling schemes and litter clearance.
• Our factories have internal risk assessment and performance auditing processes. These processes drive continuous improvement, and support the fundamentals of Deb’s environmental charter, as well as supporting health and safety programmes.
• We achieved our first ISO14001 accreditation in 2001. Internationally recognised environmental management systems are used throughout the business. However, we treat environmental legislation, such as the IPPC, as a minimum standard only, and strive to outperform legal requirements.
• Environmental results are reported to the Board of Directors every month.
• Taking environmental management seriously helps Deb to attract the most talented individuals to work within our businesses. We recognise that the social and ethical performance of an organisation strongly influences an individual’s choice of employer.