In line with its green objectives and policy, touch has adopted an environmental approach of 4 main pillars:

1. Recycling
2. Carbon Footprint Control
3. Green Operations
4. Green Purchases

Recycling

In order to ensure the sustainability of our waste management program, we implemented the following internal processes:

• Implementation of a Waste Management program across our operations. We have also improved our waste management procedures by identifying all generated waste, categorizing them as recyclable vs. non-recyclable.
• The company conducted extensive staff awareness sessions and reminders on waste management whereas employees use recyclable and non-recyclable bins for generated waste prior to collection.
• The Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) coupons were replaced with biodegradable ones.
• Proper collection and disposal of our generators’ waste to prevent oil spills and pollution.
• Launch of a paperless environment. To avoid redundant archiving and to cut down on paper use, we have reverted to electronic archiving in some  touch units.

Carbon Footprint Control

touch Carbon Footprint 2010
 

What is Carbon Footprint? The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to support human activities, expressed in tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Green Operations

Besides energy efficiency and waste management procedures,  touch focuses on being environmentally compliant by reducing noise and visual pollution. In order to minimize its footprint in these areas, the operator incorporated best green control and prevention practices in its Environmental Management System based on ISO 14001, making the environmental concern as fundamental as technological and economic ones.

The green practices adopted by  touch involve the operator’s telecommunication infrastructure - during its development, operation, maintenance and dismantling - and its offices across the following three categories:

1. Air pollution:
   When purchasing new generators,  touch makes sure they comply with the highest environmental standards. Accordingly, all new sites were equipped with 20KVA instead of 27KVA Perkins (Perkins 1103D and 1104D) which saves on diesel consumption and reduces noise pollution.
2. Environmental and Visual impact:
   At  touch, we strive to minimize the environmental impact of our infrastructure. In order to achieve this, we conduct studies to evaluate its weight on the landscape from two standpoints: environmental and visual. The information collected is particularly relevant when the installations are in protected areas and natural reserves. To reduce the aforementioned impact,  touch seeks to:

• Find the best possible locations to carry out environmental impact assessments.
• Take into consideration the landscape and environment factors when deciding on installations.
• Exploit existing facilities for raised infrastructure.
• Apply advanced techniques to minimize visual impact.
• Share spaces and infrastructure with other operators.
• Implement solar and wind energies as generating energy.

 
3. Noise Pollution:
To reduce the noise generated by the sites or installed equipments,  touch abides by all relevant Lebanese laws and observes World Health Organization guidelines in this regard.

Green Purchases

Green Purchases refer to “the affirmative selection and acquisition of products and services that most effectively minimize negative environmental impacts over their life cycle of manufacturing, transportation, use and recycling or disposal.”

In respect to its green commitment,  touch favors the purchase of:

• Products and services that conserve energy and water, minimize generation of waste and releases of pollutants;
• Products made from recycled materials and that can be reused or recycled;
• Products that rely on renewable energy resources such as solar and wind power;
• Products using alternatives to hazardous or toxic chemicals, radioactive materials and bio hazardous agents. 
• Energy star products of IT & Technical nature.