The Environment & Ethics

Environmental Supply Policy. 

Updated 02/05/24


Here at Twelve Silver Trees Jewellery we are passionate about ethical business and we are committed to our trading stance. Our activities involve the procurement and processing of natural resources and as such, this places upon us a direct obligation towards the environment.

  1. Whilst upholding our tradition of supplying quality Sterling Silver jewellery and conducting our business in a profitable manner, Twelve Silver Trees will continually assess and develop our environmental impact, efforts and strategy. 
  2. Ensure our products minimise their environmental impact during manufacture.
  3. Use raw materials, water and energy efficiently, in order to diminish our effect on the environment.
  4. Reduce emissions and waste from our activities.
  5. Identify opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of our activities at an early stage, and adopt these changes where appropriate. 
  6. Maintain our high standards to awareness of environmental issues while encouraging responsible attitudes towards the environment.
  7. Co-operate with our suppliers, customers and other business partners to achieve higher environmental standards.
  8. Use rechargeable batteries for all our mobile appliances wherever possible. 
  9. We aim to reduce, re-use and recycle waste materials, where-ever possible.
  10. Recycle waste - paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, all metals, computer parts and all packaging. 
  11. we are committed to continuous improvement to reduce, re-use, recycle and also to create sustainable solutions
  12. Re-use printed paper for internal work.
  13. Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and government guidance.
  14. We conserve energy wherever possible.
  15. Adopt responsible Environmental practices at home.

Twelve Silver Trees Jewellery are passionate about ethical business & we are committed to our ethical trading stance.
The guidelines below are based on the internationally recognised code of labour practice, they are pre-condition of supply for all suppliers.
 
Employment is freely chosen.

  1. There is no forced, bonded or involuntary prison labor
  2. Workers are not required to lodge "deposits" or their identity papers with their employer and are free to leave their employer after reasonable notice. 

Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected.

  1.  The employer adopts an open attitude towards the activities of trade unions and their organisational activities
  2. Workers, without distinction, have the right to join or form trade unions of their own choosing and to bargain collectively
  3. Workers representatives are not discriminated against and have access to carry out their representative functions in the workplace
  4. Where the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining is restricted under law, the employer facilitates, and does not hinder, the development of parallel means for independent and free association and bargaining

Working conditions are safe and hygienic.

  1. Safe and hygienic working environment shall be provided, bearing in mind the prevailing knowledge of the industry and of any specific hazards. Adequate steps shall be taken to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, associated with, or occurring in the course of work, by minimising, so far as is reasonably practicable, the causes of hazards inherent in the working environment. 
  2. Workers shall receive regular and recorded health and safety training, and such training shall be repeated for new or reassigned workers. 
  3. Access to clean toilet facilities and to potable water, and, if appropriate, sanitary facilities for food storage shall be provided. 
  4.  Accommodation, where provided, shall be clean, safe, and meet the basic needs of the workers. 
  5. The company observing the code shall assign responsibility for health and safety to a senior management representative


Child labour shall not be used.

  1.  There shall be no new recruitment of child labour. 
  2. Companies shall develop or participate in and contribute to policies and programmes which provide for the transition of any child found to be performing child labour to enable her or him to attend and remain in quality education until no longer a child; "child" and "child labour" being defined in the appendices. 
  3. Children and young persons under 18 shall not be employed at night or in hazardous conditions. 
  4.  These policies and procedures shall conform to the provisions of the relevant ILO standards.

Living wages are paid.

  1. To every extent possible work performed must be on the basis of recognised employment relationship established through national law and practice
  2. All workers shall be provided with written and understandable Information about their employment conditions in respect to wages before they enter employment and about the particulars of their wages for the pay period concerned each time that they are paid.

Working hours are not excessive

  1. Working hours comply with national laws and benchmark industry standards, whichever affords greater protection. 
  2. In any event, workers shall not on a regular basis be required to work in excess of 48 hours per week and shall be provided with at least one day off for every 7 day period on average. Overtime shall be voluntary, shall not exceed 12 hours per week, shall not be demanded on a regular basis and shall always be compensated at a premium

No discrimination is practised.

  1. There is no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.

Regular employment is provided.

  1. To every extent possible work performed must be on the basis of recognised employment relationship established through national law and practice
  2. Obligations to employees under labour or social security laws and regulations arising from the regular employment relationship shall not be avoided through the use of labour-only contracting, sub- contracting, or home-working arrangements, or through apprenticeship schemes where there is no real intent to impart skills or provide regular employment, nor shall any such obligations be avoided through the excessive use of fixed-term contracts of employment.

No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed.

  1. Physical abuse or discipline, the threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassment and verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation shall be prohibited

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CODE CONSTITUTE A MINIMUM AND NOT MAXIMUM STANDARDS, AND THIS CODE SHOULD NOT BE USED TO PREVENT COMPANIES FROM EXCEEDING THESE STANDARDS. COMPANIES APPLYING THIS CODE ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLY WITH NATIONAL AND OTHER APPLICABLE LAW AND, WHERE THE
PROVISIONS OF LAW AND THIS BASE CODE ADDRESS THE SAME SUBJECT, TO APPLY THAT PROVISION WHICH AFFORDS THE GREATER PROTECTION.