Environment

We embrace our responsibility for protecting the natural environment and, since 2007, have taken significant steps towards reducing our carbon footprint.

Our chief environmental impact is our energy consumption in our offices and buildings, which accounts for more than 90% of our carbon footprint. The remainder of our carbon footprint stems from travel and waste disposal.

In 2007, Ian Burke formed an environment committee to oversee this area of our business. The full committee meets every three months and a smaller sub-committee meets every two months. The committee works with the Carbon Trust, which provides advice and support on how we might reduce our carbon footprint.

Our achievements

• We reduced our carbon footprint in line with our target of 10%.
• Investment of more than £900,000 to install powerperfectors and inverters in Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos.
• Introduction of programme to replace our company car fleet with more environmentally friendly vehicles. New company cars have been capped for emissions at 160g/km.
• Distribution of 2 million low-energy light bulbs to customers of Mecca Bingo, in cooperation with Kool Energy.
• 41% reduction in waste disposal over the two year period ended 31 December 2008.
• Appointment of Greenstar to help implement recycling for glass, cardboard and paper across our UK businesses.
• New initiative to recycle waste cooking oil for reprocessing into bio-diesel for public transport companies.
• By December 2008, 38% of our waste was being recycled. In 2009, we will continue to work with the Carbon Trust with the aim of reducing our carbon footprint by a further 6% by the end of the year.