The Environmental Policy states that "In all our activities, working practices and business relationships, we are committed to protecting, conserving and enhancing all aspects of the environment over which we have control or can influence.  We shall ensure compliance with all relevant environmental legislation and regulations and take action to continuously improve our environmental performance." 

The current approach is to formalise an Environmental Management System (EMS) in line with the BS 8555 scheme involving staff at all levels in the EMS development and implementation.

NMR has considered the main inputs and wastes of its businesses activities in order to reduce their negative sustainability impacts. The main inputs are plastic sample pots and sample pot boxes for milk containment, transport of milk samples, energy for milk testing and data processing, paper and plastic envelopes for customer reports and water for washing sample pots. The main wastes are milk, trade effluent, paper reports and plastic envelopes.

Examples of NMR's approach to delivering services that have reduced negative sustainability impacts include:

• Direct CO2 emissions from transport are minimised by milk samples piggy-backing on tankers, efficient route planning between depots, safe- and eco-driver training, car-sharing for business journeys and the reduction of inter-site face-to-face meetings by conference calling.
• Working with the Carbon Trust to improve on-site energy efficiency by implementing an audited Action Plan to reduce energy use. Electricity and Gas meter readings are converted into kWh. Milk sample pots and sample pot boxes are re-used, paper and plastics are recycled via certified waste handlers.
• Mains water is sparingly used for washing sample pots. The volume of water supply is metered.
• Milk solids collected in the Interceptor are processed and disposed of by an appropriately certified waste handler. Trade effluent quality is monitored and accepted by the local water companies.
• The group's Environmental Co-ordinator has received specific training in implementing an EMS (Environmental Management System).
• To encourage sustainability for clients a discount is offered for paperless reports. it is recommended that the plastic envelopes are returned for recycling.
• Staff are helped to reduce the impact of travel to work by being offered the tax advantageous CycleScheme initiative, car-sharing and provisions for staff to work from home.

The benefits of an environmentally conscious business are actively promoted. Each of the group's sites has a voluntary team to identify initiatives for improving the ecological and social aspects of the environment.

NMR proposes to report its improved sustainability to all stakeholders frequently via industry media, company publications and specific reports.