Environmental Performance

Managing our impact on both the environment and communities in which we operate is very important to ADvTECH. Although the impact of our operations on the environment is relatively low, we have a responsibility to monitor and minimise negative environmental impacts where possible. ADvTECH reduces its environmental footprint by comprehensive waste management, limiting the use of hazardous substances and promoting energy saving, an approach which has obvious benefits.

The Group abides by an Environmental policy that focuses on achieving and demonstrating sound environmental practices with particular reference to engagement with the communities of which we are already a part or are seeking to join.

The Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve is a nature conservation education centre monitored by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the North Durban honorary officers, who are also responsible for educating the public about the mangroves and the importance of environmental conservation in general.

Varsity College Durban North and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife embarked on a partnership at the outset of 2010 to assist in raising this public awareness and to provide Varsity College students with the opportunity to engage in environmental awareness programmes. Numerous projects were successfully completed during the year including the Varsity College Beach Walk, the proceeds from which were used towards renovations to the education centre situated in the mangroves. Second-year Diploma in Advertising students at Varsity College were provided with the opportunity to present mural concepts for the bare wall at the entrance to the reserve which was duly completed by them in time for the Reserve’s annual open day on 1 May 2010.

In developing or expanding buildings, the Properties department conducts impact studies to identify ways to mitigate potential negative effects on the environment. They also develop environmental management plans to protect and maintain sites situated in eco-sensitive areas.

To accommodate the growing enrolments at Crawford in Fourways, the Pre-Primary school was relocated to a new site situated in a bush baby conservation area. The school was planned and designed to take cognisance of this environment and its wildlife. Bush baby habitation zones and movement paths were identified when planning the layout of functional spaces and the impact of construction on the environment was minimised through the introduction of new indigenous plants and trees.

To encourage the efficient use of energy, large covered passages were designed to provide shade in summer and, together with sliding windows that allow open ventilation, minimise the need for air-conditioning in classrooms.

We run environmental programmes on an ongoing basis throughout our operation to encourage a greater sense of environmental responsibility. These programmes also form part of the curriculum at our schools.

Crawford College Sandton was involved in three recycling projects during the year. The College was one of six schools selected in Gauteng by Miss Earth South Africa to launch a pilot project for recycling electronic waste (e-waste). The school has been provided with six large green bins in which students, staff and parents may deposit old and defunct electronic goods.

The College also runs a printer cartridge recycling programme in collaboration with Green Office. Funds raised from recycling these cartridges are used for further green projects around the school.

Lastly, the Life Sciences department is investigating the purchase of a worm farm for recycling food waste at Crawford College Sandton, following a presentation on vermiculture at assembly

Rosebank College Braamfontein students took to the streets on a Saturday morning in September to clean up the area between the Bree and Noord Street taxi ranks. Setting an example as responsible citizens who care for the environment, they provided the public with important information about the impact of littering.

Vega published an article titled ‘How healthy is your brand?’ in the latest Encyclopedia of Brands and Branding to present an argument for placing brands and the businesses they set in motion, within a broader context.

The authors (including Gordon Cook and Carla Enslin, both co-founders of Vega) propose a set of indicators to assess brand health beyond the rather one dimensional financial metrics of existing brand equity models. The effort of some brands to integrate the well being of people and the planet at large into the design of their organisations is recognised in the argument.

An alternative model is therefore proposed for ensuring ?a far more conscious and direct connection between microeconomic subsystems and broader socio-economic macrosystems necessary to sustain human dignity and ?life. The authors propose that brands are our greatest assets for meaningful and sustainable improvement to the lives ?of people.