Green Customer Newsletter by UKOS PLC

July 2008

Green Customer Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 1

Welcome to the UKOS Green Newsletter! This newsletter has been produced specifically for UKOS customers, not only to keep you up to date on environmental initiatives here at UKOS, but also to offer tips and advice for a greener procurement process.

Inside this issue: On page one you’ll find details of our brand NEW Green Directory, and some interesting points as to why all business needs to consider being more environmental. Page two highlight tips for a greener office, we use all of these in our offices at UKOS. On page three we can advise on reducing your carbon footprint, and all UKOS customers have the option of certificates to note positive choices to being more environmentally conscientious. And finally, wow your colleagues with interesting facts about our changing climate on page four — some are quite surprising!

The NEW Green Directory Its here! The Green Directory boasting 47 pages and over 1000 green products which are either recycled, made from sustainable material, or have an environmental benefit.

The NEW Green Directory 2008

Reason to be Green

•

64% consumers - more

•

74% think that busi-

•

From 2006 to 2007 the

likely to use a business

nesses are not doing

office products industry

that has a low carbon

enough to cut their

has seen a 10% increase

footprint

carbon emissions and

in sales from those

tackle climate change

products with an envi-

66% consumers - more likely to buy products and services with a low carbon footprint

The Green Directory

Reasons to be Green

Carbon Neutral Update

UKOS—A Green Company 2

The catalogue is available to order free of charge on code UK00031 or simply ask your account manager for a copy.

•

Welcome

ronmental benefit.

Reducing your Carbon Footprint

Customer Certificates

Did you know

If you have any stories you’d like to share, then please get in touch by emailing: emma.halldearn@ukosplc.com

Carbon Neutral With an estimated CO2 emission level of 7.9t per employee we are already on the right side of average compared to our industry which is estimated at between 7.58t CO2 to 9t CO2.

Carbon Neutral means our omissions as a company would be at net Zero. Because we still need to use energy sources (like most companies) our aim is to reduce these emissions as much as possible by a set of reduction policies, we will then offset through climate friendly, CO2 reducing projects around the world .

At UKOS we have already taken a number of steps (hence being on the right side of average). In the warehouse there is a constant assessment of van routes to reduce deliveries therefore reducing fuel. Training has been proved to help our drivers drive more efficiently, and any new vehicle purchased is now Euro 4 which has lower emissions. These initiatives are already producing positive results!

Throughout 2008 we will be working towards further reducing our energy use and waste.

UKOS—A Green Company At UKOS, looking after the environment is an important issue embedded in the culture of our staff. In order to keep our offices in check, we have two green champions, Beth Tongue in the North and Kairen Turner in the South. For advice and tips on being more environmentally friendly at work please feel free to get in touch.

Tips for a Greener Office…………... Purchase products that are kinder to the environment. Talk to your UKOS account manager to take up the UKOS Green Challenge. • Try to recycle as much as possible, but remember reducing paper usage and re-using paper is even better. • Make sure that your workplace is the right temperature, ideally between 19 and 24 degrees centigrade. • Flexible working options, such as home or remote working, can reduce your carbon footprint by avoiding the commute into work. • Consider video-conferencing as an alternative to travelling to meetings. • Ensure that all bulbs are low energy.

Kairen.turner@ukosplc.com

• Make sure furniture or equipment is not blocking any heating or windows. • Find out if your workplace is properly insulated and draught-proofed. • If you’re the last to leave the office, make sure you turn everything off, such as lights, computer equipment, appliances, motors and machinery.

Beth.tongue@ukosplc.com

• Talk to colleagues about working together to green your workplace. Collective action is more effective than individual efforts. • If you’re unsure how to reduce your carbon footprint at work, consult your union environmental rep. If there isn’t one in your workplace, why not become one yourself!

New Green Products! Recycled Sticky Notes

Retractable Ball Pens

Recycled Dividers

Made from 100% recycled material

Made from Corn Starch!

100% recycled

UK13064 UK13065

3x3 Recycled Yellow 3x5 Recycled Yellow

PK12 PK12

UK16430

Black

PK10

UK16431

Blue

PK10

UK16432

Red

PK10

UK15450

5 Part

UK15451

10 Part

Please note your normal discounts will apply on these products, contact your account manager or our sales team for pricing

Volume 1, Issue 1

Page 2

Reducing your carbon footprint…. At UKOS we specialize in the reduction of carbon footprint relating to the purchase of stationery and other office products. Ask your UKOS Account Manager for more information on the following subjects:

Switching to Sustainable Products Switching to Products with a Lower Carbon Footprint Reduced Delivery Schedule Increase average order size Online Ordering/ Electronic Catalogue Switching to Lower Cost Products (Offsetting)

Be proud of your choices…. We now offer certificates for UKOS customers. These are available in three areas and issued to prove a measurable difference towards becoming more environmentally friendly. To obtain your certificate or for more information speak to your UKOS Account Manager. Environmental Products We can analyze your product usage and show a percentage of products you purchase with a form of environmental benefit. Surprisingly, only some small changes can make a big difference in this area.

Electronic Transactions Make some active choices in how you place your orders and receive your invoices / statements. Our internet ordering system is one of the best in the industry, but remember our team is always here on the phone if you need us.

Delivery Options We can offer reduced delivery schedules of either 3, 2, or 1 day per week (any day to suit you). Next day delivery is of course still available on request if needed.

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Did you know……….. •

Surface temperatures in the last 2 decades have risen to their highest levels in 140 yrs. The 20th century was the highest in the last 1000 yrs. The average global temp rose by 0.6oC in the 20th century. 11 of the last 12 yrs are the warmest in 160 years.

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A 1m sea rise could flood 17% of Bangladesh (low lying) tens of millions of homeless people and reduce rice yields by 50%. A massive proportion of the world’s population live in coastal areas.

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The Arctic could have its first ice free summer by 2040.

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There will be much more extreme weather-with more hot days and heat waves, and fewer cold days & frosts over nearly all land mass. This will in turn lead to more draughts and floods, cyclones, tornados 7 hurricanes with more intensity and frequency. Leading to massive increases in population displacement, disease- dysentery, and malaria etc, lack of water, resources and conflicts over such.

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If everybody in the UK turned off all of their appliances at home, instead of leaving them on stand-by – in a year, save 800,000 tonnes CO2 – and a typical household would save £38.00 per year on their energy bills based on 2006 prices. (Source: DEFRA) If 20 people turn off their computer monitors during their lunch break - in a week, save 1kg CO2 200 office staff turn off their PCs overnight – in a year, save 5 tonnes CO2

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A typical office wastes enough energy overnight to heat 1000 cups of tea

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Use a sandwich box instead of sandwich bags – in year, save 50kg CO2 Volume 1, Issue 1

The team at UKOS have been working hard to help customers on Van Route 6 (Birmingham) take advantage of a reduced delivery schedule The proposal is a three day delivery service on a Mon, Wed, Fri. “There has been some real positive feedback on this, people have been very receptive, they understand that this won’t be detrimental to the service they receive due to the fact that if they still want a next day service on certain items they can have it. All customers on this route have been completely willing to trial this service.” Shirley Smith—Business Account Manager

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We throw away our own body weight in waste every three weeks

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The UK’s target of 50% recycling by 2020 is only 50% of what the Dutch do already.

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Only boil as much water as you need and you will save 0.2% of energy use and 27kg of CO2

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The UK has the worst energy habits in Europe

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If everyone in the UK had Energy Saving Recommended fridges & freezers, energy wastage would be cut by over 2/3 & CO2 to fill 24 million doubledecker buses. There would also be enough electricity saved to run the UK's streetlights for 6 years

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If every household installed just one energy saving light bulb, the electricity saved in a year could power the Blackpool Illuminations for nearly 900 years and there would be enough carbon dioxide saved to fill the Royal Albert Hall 1,980 times

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