The implementation of this policy is led by a Sustainability Steering Committee, made up of senior eir leaders, reporting directly to the CEO.
eir also has a sustainable procurement policy in place. As eir is not a manufacturer the main emphasis of the policy is to implement policies which their suppliers must agree to undertake and which will be measured by eir on an annual basis. At a high level these cover human rights including non discrimination, modern slavery and child labour; and environmental including pollution and compliance with laws.
eir also hosts a range of sustainability initiatives designed to ensure the on-going operation of a responsible and sustainable business, such as an agile policy working, moving to a paperless business, carbon reduction, as well as modernising their fleet of vehicles.
Environmental
eir’s environmental management system is certified by the National Standards Authority of Ireland to the international environmental management standard ISO 14001:2015.
eir implements and maintains an Environmental Management System.
Environmental Management System
TITLE: ISO 14001 2015
REG NO: 14 0768
SCOPE: The design, construction, installation and commissioning of telecommunications networks in Ireland.
Sustainability
eir is proud to be a ‘Mark’ company having been first accredited to The Business Working Responsibly Mark in 2016. In 2019 eir again secured accreditation valid through to 2022. The Business Working Responsibly Mark is the only independently audited standard for CSR and Sustainability in Ireland. The Mark is audited by the National Standards Authority of Ireland and based on the international standard ISO26000.
Environmental and Sustainability Policies In Place
- NSAI and based on the international ISO26000.
- eir CSR Policy
- Environment and wellbeing Policy (Included in eir Environment, Health Safety and Wellbeing Statement
Demonstration of Environmental and Sustainability Policies
Energy efficiency and management
eir Data Centre and Exchange rationalisation – This is a programme of equipment modernisation, centralisation and retirement across eir’s exchange network.
Paperless offices – Removal of printer access has been initiated for eir office-based employees and eir have removed printers from its offices dramatically reducing energy consumption and paper use. Other measures included transfer to online forms and electronic pay slips. Going paperless is an important step in making businesses more cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly.
Renewable energy generation and use
There have been replacements of up to 180 telephone kiosks with electric vehicle charge points – eir and Easy Go have announced they will replace up to 180 eir telephone kiosks with Electric Vehicle Rapid Chargers nationwide. Ireland’s largest telecommunications company has joined forces with Ireland’s largest car charging network provider to roll-out rapid electric car chargers in towns and cities across Ireland.
eir has signed a three year deal worth €66 Million with SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest supplier of 100% renewable electricity. The agreement will also see the two companies work together to research energy efficiency projects which will help eir on its sustainability journey to a low carbon future.
Wellbeing measures for staff and public
eir Wellness, Live Life, Live Well
eir provides a tailored and sustained Wellness Programme for all its employees, it’s called ‘eir Wellness, Live Life, Live well’. The wellness programme aims to educate and empower employees to make lifestyle changes which benefits themselves and their families and ultimately benefits the business.
eir has exclusive partnerships with leading wellness, screening, employee assistance programme and occupational health providers to provide the most diverse and innovative range of health and wellbeing services.
Examples:
- eir since 2019 has proudly partnered with See Change in support of its ‘Green Ribbon’ campaign which runs in May of each year, Green Ribbons are available in eir stores throughout Ireland, the ribbons act as a visual symbol, an important step on the journey to ending the stigma surrounding mental health difficulties.
- Employee Assistance Programme – eir provides an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), EAP is a completely free and confidential programme that provides employees and their family members with immediate help and support in managing whatever work or personal issues they are facing.
- Flu Vaccination- eir has provided a full and comprehensive flu vaccination programme to all its employees since 2018.
- Digital Gym – Weekly 20 class weekly schedule (Year round programme)
- Remote Working – Ergo Assessment Programme (Questionnaire, eLearning, 1:1 Assessments)
Waste management including circular economy
eir Waste Management Policy
Managing waste in accordance with the waste hierarchy and in a manner supportive of the development of a resource efficient and sustainable
As part of this programme eir works in partnership with Greenstar, the largest provider of waste management and recycling services to businesses all over Ireland.
Through their efforts to reduce their environmental impacts, they have reviewed best practice within the waste management sector. The aim was to deliver optimum recycling efficiency from all their hubs.
As a result they now send zero waste to landfill; this was achieved through fresh eir’s focus on recycling, promotion of waste minimisation and an agreement with Greenstar to move all of eir’s non-recyclable waste to more sustainable options.
WEEE Ireland Registered Retailer
WEEE Ireland helps eir meet their producer responsibility through collection, recovery, and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment and batteries
Repack Membership
Repak members have funded recycling nationwide, helping to transform the environmental landscape in Ireland.
