F. Hinds Ltd. Environment Policy
F. Hinds Ltd. (“the company”) has a policy to comply with Environmental legislation currently enforced in the UK. This applies to all those who are employed within the company or who are associated with its undertakings. This policy is publicly available on our website and is reflected in our terms and conditions of trade via our Supplier Manual.
The company is also accredited with certified membership of the Responsible Jewellery Council and complies with their Code of Practice on environmental responsibility.
It is our policy to do all that is reasonably practicable to:
• Reduce our energy consumption where possible via new technology and behaviour.
• Maximise the proportion of our energy coming from environmentally friendly sources, whether generated internally and/or provided by external utility providers that use renewable energy sources.
• Reuse items when possible (e.g. packaging), thus reducing the consumption of consumables wherever practicable to do so.
• Recycle waste products and redundant equipment to minimise the amount sent to landfill.
• Recover useful materials or energy from waste that cannot be reused or recycled where possible and within the scope of our business activities to ensures that even materials that would otherwise be discarded contribute to resource efficiency.
• Use, store, control and dispose of hazardous materials in line with best environmental practices.
In particular, it is our policy to:
• Where practical, obtain services, equipment and power from providers who are committed to environmental protection.
• Aim to reduce pollution and actively pursue reductions in the use of substances, processes and procedures that adversely affect the environment.
• Consult with employees through biannual meetings on any matter that may affect them related to environmental control.
• Strive to continually improve the company’s environmental performance by regular reviews and monitoring our progress.
• Periodically review and update this policy and our other environmental control systems.
Employees, suppliers and those who have dealings with the company are asked to make a positive contribution to environmental protection by making themselves aware of the company’s environmental policy and to co-operate in its operation by complying with its provisions.
To support our environmental policy and objectives we are committed to responsible business practices in the following environmental areas and are developing procedures to improve our performance:
Carbon Footprint and Energy Efficiency
Within our business activities we will endeavour to set an example of responsible environmental management and conservation, including active recycling of materials where practical. The company will comply with all the relevant legislation and adhere to the principles of the prevention of pollution during its trading activities.
Arrangements to achieve these targets may include the following:-
• Having an awareness of the need for conservation of energy.
• Taking environmental impact into account when sourcing products.
• Using materials from sustainable and responsibly managed sources where practical to minimise pollution and depletion of the world’s natural resources.
• Minimising waste through an effective waste management system.
Risk Awareness & Planning
Our environmental policy is based on a requirement to identify and evaluate environmental risks and ensure that appropriate controls are implemented, such as:
• Environmental Risk Assessments which apply to all of our trading activities.
• Corporate environmental risks that are reviewed when individual new potential risks are identified by the business and as a whole on an annual basis.
• Site specific risk assessments, where applicable, which identify and control environmental risks arising from business activities.
Governance
Our Managing Director has final and overall responsibility for Health & Safety and environmental matters within the company and will:
• Take a leadership role on Health & Safety and Environmental matters by setting a good example and acting promptly
• Review the company’s Health & Safety standards and Environmental Policies on an annual basis or more frequently if required, for example as a result of relevant changes within the company.
• If deficiencies are identified, allocate adequate resources to implement the Health & Safety and Environmental Policies.
• If needed or required to do so, appoint an external Health & Safety Advisor and other specialist advisors as required.
• Investigate, record, monitor and review any:
• Work-related serious accidents, incidents and ill health issues which caused or had the potential to cause serious injury or ill health
• Proposed changes to the premises, activities or management structure which could have an impact on Health & Safety
• New hazards not already identified within risk assessments which have been brought to his attention
All employees and those having dealings with the company will be required to:
• Co-operate with Managers and Department Heads on environmental matters.
• Ensure that environmental issues are properly considered for persons under their direct control.
• Contribute in reducing incidents and waste as an integral part of the business process.
• Not interfere with anything provided to protect the environment.
• Report any environmental concerns to an appropriate person.
• Seek further advice on environmental matters, if / when required.
Training and Development
Management are responsible for assessing and meeting the training needs of our staff. The company management will assist in carrying out these tasks by monitoring staff completion of company provided training (e.g. via the internal “GEMS” platform) and by providing direct training where required.
The specific training needs of individuals will be identified in the following ways:
• General training required for all staff as well as specific training required for their role.
• Performance appraisals and feedback from staff.
• Ongoing monitoring.
• Recommendations arising from audits and inspections.
Communication and consultation
The company will create and sustain an awareness of the importance of Health & Safety and Environmental issues by the use of written, verbal and visual communication. These may include:
• Leadership meetings.
• Training as laid out above.
• Consultation with specialists.
• Periodical Health & Safety and Environment team meetings.
• Reporting on the practical steps taken and outcomes achieved as a result of the implementation of our policies.
Our staff should support this objective by being mindful of environmental factors at all times, especially by minimising the use of natural resources, utilities and the generation of waste.
In turn, the Company will strive to reduce energy use and its environmental impact by:
• Considering the use of renewable or sustainable energy sources.
• Ensuring that Company premises are well insulated and energy efficient.
• Promoting the recycling or reuse of waste materials, by-products or equipment where viable.
• When the Company retires old equipment, considering whether it or its components can be sold or donated to interested parties rather than being disposed of. Sourcing energy-efficient replacement equipment.
• Considering the environmental impact of its products and suppliers. Buyers will have a consideration as to whether there is a viable alternative which is more environmentally friendly as part of their remit.
This policy is endorsed by:
Paul Hinds
Managing Director
May 2026