ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT

We conducted an internal audit in our New Zealand operation in April 2002 to determine the strengths and weaknesses of our waste management practices and identify areas for improvement. We found that we have some excellent waste management practices in place. However, our good practices are not consistent across the company or across departments. As a result, it was recommended that we draft and implement a Sustainable Retailing Policy. We also found that our Manufacturing operation is properly handling and disposing of hazardous chemicals in compliance with health and safety laws.

SUSTAINABLE RETAILING POLICY & COORDINATOR

The Sustainable Retailing Policy was developed and approved in June 2002. Our policy provides all employees guidance on the companys philosophy about sustainable retailing. It establishes a clear vision for all staff to follow. In addition, it identifies a coordinator to champion the companys efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste.

SUSTAINABLE RETAILING STRATEGY FOR 2002-2003

We have developed a Sustainable Retailing Strategy for the 2002-2003 financial year.

Its goals are to

• reduce the amount of waste produced at our Head Offices
• reuse items as many times as possible at our Head Offices and Stores
• recycle what we can at our Head Offices and Stores
• reduce electricity usage at our Head Offices
• begin keeping statistics of our efforts
  

• introduce the Sustainable Retailing policy to all staff
• introduce a Sustainable Retailing page in our monthly newsletter
• make everyone welcome to participate at whatever level they can
• find and encourage the champions of Sustainable Retailing to take the initiative at their locations " share success stories, ideas, and suggestions
• recognise and reward individuals, stores, and departments for participation, initiative and innovation

We, at Michael Hill Jeweller, want to do our part to work for a sustainable future.