In the wake of the success of the Anya Hindmarch ‘I’m not a plastic bag’ bag that sold out in Sainsbury’s stores nationwide at the end of April, Chess this week launched its ‘Checkout Mate’ to provide employees with a SMARTER alternative to carrier bags, when they are flashing a different kind of plastic in Alderley’s retail outlets.
UK consumers use around ten billion plastic bags every year and each of these bags takes around 500 years to degrade. By launching its Checkout Mate, Chess hopes to significantly reduce the number of bags used by its people, and encourage other shoppers in the village to follow suit.
This is just one of a number of initiatives to be introduced by Chess as part of its commitment to reducing the impact businesses have on the environment. Chess has set up an environmental task force – its Green Team – headed up by Chief Executive David Pollock to focus the organisation on environmental sustainability and establishing a low carbon economy. Most recently, this has seen Chess make significant investment into innovative technology to enable all customers to switch to web billing, saving over three tonnes of paper every year.
Chess is also working towards compliance with the ISO14001 environmental standard.
It is part of Chess’ vision to be recognised as a benchmark in the telecoms industry and setting itself apart through environmental initiatives will be one of the ways it will achieve this. As testament to its commitment to reducing its environmental impact, Chess has been shortlisted in the regional final of the National Business Awards, Award for Corporate Social Responsibility, the winner of which will be announced in July.
“Now, more than ever, it is vitally important for UK businesses to focus on reducing their carbon footprints,” said David. “Having attended the May Day Climate Change Summit hosted by HRH Prince of Wales I was struck by the enormity of the challenge we - the people of the world - face. In years to come we do not want to answer to our Grandchildren: why, when we knew the consequence of our actions, did we do nothing? Business has a role to play: to reduce the impact we have on our environment and educate our people on good practice. At Chess we are committed to playing our part: to take action and drive change in our organisation. Chess has a unique culture that motivates and inspires all our people to be more, not to have more. We believe that in order to continue to grow a successful business we must protect and nurture our environment and the launch of our Green Team is our first step towards this.”