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Fuel & Energy
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The combustion of fossil fuels generates emissions of carbon dioxide, sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide is an important factor in global warming, while the
latter two gases contribute to regional environmental problems such as acid rain.
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Wastes
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Significant BT wastes, in proportion to the UK totals, include telephones, exchanges, cable, batteries and PCB/PCN capacitors. BT acknowledges its responsibility to carefully manage its wastes in
order to minimise any environmental impacts caused by their disposal.
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Procurement
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BT is the UK's largest civilian purchaser, and spends over £4 billion a year on goods and services. BT acknowledges its duty to practice environmentally responsible purchasing, a responsibility shared with its suppliers.
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Emissions to Air
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BT's fleet of vehicles is responsible for an estimated 0.2 percent of the UK's total vehicle- related VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions. These compounds affect local air quality. BT uses refrigerants and fire
retardants which damage the ozone layer.
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Product Stewardship
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BT is the UK's principal supplier of telecommunications services and a major supplier of telecommunication equipment. BT acknowledges its responsibility to make them energy and resource efficient, safe in disposal, and
to support their recycling or reuse.
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Local Impacts
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BT operates from around 8,000 properties. In addition, BT's network includes over 4 million poles, an estimated 4.5 million manholes and joint boxes, 88,000 roadside cabinets, 132,000 payphones and 200 major radio stations. Careful
planning is required to minimise impacts on local communities.
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Environmental Risk Management
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BT is formalising the procedures for the assessment and management of the environmental risks posed by underground storage tanks, asbestos, holdings of potentially damaging chemicals and contaminated land.
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