Astra Signs sustainability and recycling policies

1. Astra Signs sustainability and recycling policies

2. Sustainability at Astra Signs • Starting out on the journey toward sustainability • Have working practices in place and are in the process of formalising them • Environmental management manual – effective from 07/02/09 • Working towards: • ISO 14001 - Environmental management standard • ISO 9001 - Quality management systems • BS 8901 - Sustainable event management

3. Sustainability at Astra Signs • Environmental management manual • Periodic reviews will set sustainable environmental improvement project activities that can be monitored and measured including • Waste minimisation • Pollution prevention • Energy and water efficiency • Working with customers and suppliers on a range of environmental initiatives i.e. re-use or recycling used products, packaging, other materials

4. Sustainability at Astra Signs • Environmental management manual • Investigating alternative materials or packaging that will reduce waste but will not compromise costs, reliability or quality • This also includes investigating ways that our company can refine or redesign its operations or products to reduce energy use, solid waste, hazardous material use and other natural resources. • Everyone must be aware that our commitment to the environment applies to all

5. Sustainability at Astra Signs • Reducing energy consumption • Communicating with employees regarding energy efficiency measures such as shutting down equipment when not in use

6. Sustainability at Astra Signs • Recycling • October 2008 – December 2008 • Total weight: 841 kg/week • Weight recycled: 492.87 kg/week • 58.6% recycled (increase of 14% points since 2006) • Waste management procedure since 23rd February 2008

7. Sustainability at Astra Signs • Recycling • Contracts with a number of operators to collect and recycle where appropriate: • Paper, cardboard, glass, small plastics, small metal, textiles, biodegradable kitchen and container waste, mixed municipal waste. PVC, bubblewrap, vinyl sheet covering, foamex, perspex, composite aluminium, resin lined panel, fluorescent tubes, neon mercury tubes, sodium lamp, wood (soft/hard), plywood, MDF, wooden pallets, polycarbonate, Acrylic off cuts, correx and dibound, paint/tins, inks flushing fluid and solvents

8. Sustainability at Astra Signs • Recycling • Fluorescent tubes: • Illuminated signs consist of Fluorescent tubes mostly 1.8 meters in length. A suitable sealed container is placed within our recycling area and used for the collection of used, unbroken fittings. • The container, which is collected when full, usually containing 1420 tubes at a cost to Astra Signs of 23p/tube: • Glass from the lamps is separated and recycled into glass wool used to insulate homes • Mercury from the lamps is distilled from the phosphor powders and re-used in the manufacture of dental amalgam • Phosphor powders are re-used in the manufacture of fertilizer for the agriculture industry • Metal components are forwarded to a specialist metal recycling facility for use in manufacturing

9. Sustainability at Astra Signs • Green products • En Plus Chalk / Mineral Sheet • Recyclable and Biodegradable alternative • Pyramid display substrates • Fully recyclable • Polylite Plus Bubble Board • Fully recyclable • BIOflex – Billboards and banners • Fully biodegradable in 3-5 years • 80% non-petroleum based • Non-toxic formula

10. Sustainability at Astra Signs • Community involvement • Sharp Digital grow bag project • Supply large format graphic of the winning design • Failsworth Youth Football Team (Under 11’s) • Sponsored team kit and training gear. • St Clare’s Primary School • Sponsored team kit and training gear • Lalley Welcome Centre • Supplied signage, office equipment, computers and printers. • Versus Cancer • Astra Signs Limited has sponsored this event supplying many graphics and posters over the past 3 years.