Environmental Policy

At Ariaware we are very concerned about the state of the environment.

We believe that it is possible to run a successful business without despoiling the environment. Quite the contrary, we believe that businesses can and should have a positive environmental impact. Our Environmental Policy is one of the cornerstones of our operating principles.

We are constantly looking for ways in which to improve our environmental policies and welcome your feedback on how we can do so.

Overriding Principle:

Whenever there is a green alternative, we will not source products or services from suppliers that we know to be environmentally damaging and we will try to the best of our abilities to minimize our environmental impact.

Policies:

1. Recycled office supplies will be bought whenever possible.
   
   Our list of supplier(s): The Green Stationary Company
   
   
2. Electricity will be sourced from renewables.
   
   Our list of supplier(s): Ecotricity
   
   
3. Printing policy:
   
   
• Whenever possible, use email or electronic document exchange instead of printouts.
• Spell check will be performed before a document is printed.
• Print -> Preview will be performed before a document is printed.
• A PDF or FlashPaper proof will be taken before making multiple copies or for documents with more than 10 pages.
  
  
4. Scrap paper and paper disposal policy
   
   Unless confidential in nature, no longer required printed paper (single side) shall be utilized as scrap paper (reused) before being recycled. Confidential papers shall be shredded before being recycled.
   
   
5. Computer shut-down policy:
   
   All computers (except for mission-critical servers) and monitors will be shut-down at the end of the day and whenever the user knows that they will be away from the computer for more than one hour. The following energy-saving settings will be used on Windows workstations:
   
   Turn off monitor: After 15 minutes
   Turn off hard disks: After 30 minutes
   System stand-by: After 45 minutes
   Hibernate: After 1 hour
   
   The standard setting for the Ariaware Screensaver is to come on after 10 minutes of inactivity (it lasts for 5 minutes until the monitor is turned off automatically.) The screensaver features a rotating 3D Ariaware logo on a black background (see Screensaver and wallpaper policy, below.)
   
   
6. Screensaver and wallpaper policy:
   
   It is known that lighter-colored backgrounds use more energy (up to 20% more) than darker colored backgrounds. Energy usage varies according to color from 74W for white to 59W for black. The standard Ariaware desktop wallpaper has been designed with this in mind.
   
   
7. Monitor sourcing policy:
   
   All newly bought monitors will be LCD and Energy-star compliant. The energy-consumption of an average LCD display can be half to two-thirds of that for an average CRT. LCD monitors also generate less heat, meaning lower air-conditioning bills in the summer months. LCD monitors also have a negligible emission of harmful radiation.