Environmental Policy

1. Environmental Commitment

4D Plant Hire Limited is committed to minimising our environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices across all aspects of our operations. We recognise our responsibility to protect the environment for future generations whilst delivering reliable plant machinery hire and waste management services to our customers.

Environmental protection is integrated into our business strategy, decision-making processes, and operational procedures. We aim to exceed regulatory requirements and work towards continuous environmental improvement.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all operations of 4D Plant Hire Limited, including:

• Plant machinery hire services (excavators 13-52T, dumpers, wheel loaders, shredders, screeners, material handlers)
• Waste collection and management services
• Waste brokering and recycling operations
• Hazardous waste handling
• All employees, contractors, and subcontractors
• All sites and facilities operated by the company

3. Legal Compliance

We comply with all applicable environmental legislation, including but not limited to:

• Environmental Protection Act 1990 and amendments
• Environment Agency regulations and guidance
• Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997
• Environmental Liability Directive implementation
• Waste Carriers, Brokers and Dealers Regulations 2023
• Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
• Control of Dust and Emissions During Construction and Demolition Code of Practice

We maintain all necessary waste carrier and broker licences and ensure compliance with Environment Agency requirements.

4. Waste Management

Duty of Care

We operate under the waste duty of care principle, ensuring that all waste is handled, stored, transported, treated and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. All waste transfers include appropriate documentation and waste transfer notes.

Waste Hierarchy

We adopt the environmental waste hierarchy, prioritising in order:

• Prevention: Minimising waste generation through efficient operations
• Reduction: Reducing waste volumes through process improvement
• Reuse: Maximising reuse of materials and equipment
• Recycling: Diverting waste from landfill to recycling facilities
• Recovery: Energy recovery and material recovery operations
• Disposal: Responsible disposal as a last resort

Waste Transfer Documentation

All waste movements are documented with signed waste transfer notes, waste tracking information, and destination facility details. We maintain records for the required retention period.

5. Emissions and Air Quality

We are committed to reducing emissions from our fleet and equipment:

• Regular maintenance schedules to ensure optimal engine performance and lower emissions
• Progressive investment in newer, cleaner equipment and lower-emission machinery
• Route planning to minimise fuel consumption and unnecessary journeys
• Dust suppression measures on all waste processing and material handling sites
• Water spray systems and covers on equipment to prevent dust release
• Monitoring of air quality compliance near operational sites

6. Pollution Prevention

We implement stringent measures to prevent environmental pollution:

Spill Prevention and Management

• Secondary containment systems for fuel and oil storage
• Spill kits maintained at all operational sites
• Staff training in spill response procedures
• Immediate reporting and remediation of any spillages

Water Course Protection

• Safe distances maintained from water courses during operations
• Prevention of contaminated water discharge
• Proper drainage systems on site to prevent water pollution

7. Resource Efficiency

• Fuel efficiency monitoring and driver training
• Material reuse maximisation in waste management operations
• Water conservation measures across all sites
• Energy-efficient equipment selection and operation
• Paperless office initiatives and digital record-keeping

8. Biodiversity

• Habitat protection considerations in site operations and restoration
• Ecological surveys where required before site development
• Biodiversity awareness among all staff
• Site restoration to beneficial uses following operations

9. Supply Chain and Procurement

We encourage sustainable practices throughout our supply chain. Environmental criteria are considered in procurement decisions, including:

• Preference for suppliers with strong environmental policies
• Assessment of packaging and transportation impacts
• Support for sustainable and ethical suppliers
• Regular review of supplier environmental performance

10. Training and Awareness

• Induction training for all new employees covering environmental responsibilities
• Regular environmental awareness briefings and toolbox talks
• Specialised training for waste management and hazardous materials handling
• Training on spill response, pollution prevention, and emergency procedures
• Encouragement of environmental suggestions and feedback from all staff

11. Monitoring, Measurement and Targets

We establish and monitor environmental key performance indicators including:

• Waste diversion rates from landfill
• Fuel consumption and emissions metrics
• Water usage and conservation
• Environmental incidents and near-misses
• Compliance with environmental legislation
• Customer and stakeholder feedback on environmental performance

We set annual environmental targets and review progress quarterly. We aspire towards ISO 14001 environmental management system certification.

12. Continuous Improvement

This environmental policy is reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, operational practices, and environmental best practice. We welcome feedback from customers, employees, regulators, and other stakeholders to help us continuously improve our environmental performance.