Infosys takes steps to be eco-friendly

Infosys, despite increasing its headcount, has managed to decrease paper consumption in absolute terms by 7 per cent.

According to the company's report on environment, health and safety (EHS), the company managed to decrease consumption by increasing awareness on conservation of paper. It was a result of its Ozone initiative.

Paper was conserved by printing on both sides of paper, use of single-side printed paper for scribbling pads, recycling of paper and reusing it as note pads and automation of processes like the e-docket system introduced by the human resources (HR) department to store personal details.

Managers at all levels of the organisation are responsible for leading and engaging employees in meeting the company's EHS goals and objectives, Infosys's annual report said.

The company grew from 25,634 employees to 36,750 employees during the year. It also added 28.81 lakh sq feet of space. The enhanced operations have increased energy consumption by 32.60 per cent over the last year.

"However, better controls, adoption of best practices, energy audits and use of energy efficient systems have resulted in conservation of energy to the extent of 3.5 per cent over the last year on a per capita basis," said the report.

"About 94 per cent of the company's energy requirement is obtained from the state grid and the remaining 6 per cent is provided by captive power generation," it added.

As far as health and safety are concerned, safety is every employee's responsibility and concern. Employees are prohibited from reporting to work under the influence of illegal drugs and other substances.

"The work environment is monitored and measured on a continual basis, to check chemical content and pollution levels. Some 250 laboratory tests were conducted on drinking water samples across campuses during the year. Some 113 tests were conducted to determine the quality of recycled water and 110 tests were conducted to test the air quality," the report said.

Water is diligently used in all the campuses of the company. Though water consumption increased by 37 per cent in absolute terms, this was due to expansion of working space and employees over the last year.

Waste water, resulting from usage within company's campuses, is treated and recycled at sewage treatment plants. All recycled water is being used for landscape maintenance within he campus.

"Effective use of recycled water has resulted in reduced the quantity of fresh water intake and the treated and dried sludge from the sewerage treatment plant is used as manure in our gardens," the report said.