Environment

DTM Systems Corporation has practiced environmental stewardship and sustainable practices since 1986, when current management took over business operations. Over this time, DTM has seen a significant reduction in waste, energy consumption and material use. The reduction and reuse of all materials, including packaging, business machines and supplies, have been the forefront of its recycling program. Employee consumables are also recycled, including plastic, aluminum and paper. DTM promotes carpooling and the use of public transit.

DTM works closely with its key suppliers and aligns itself with companies that follow best practices in environmental stewardship. In an added effort to reduce vehicle emissions, changes in logistics and product delivery were implemented in 1996. DTM also complies with environmental handling fees (EHF), imposed by the governments of BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.

As a provider of leading edge technology, DTM is a pioneer in the use of virtualization to reduce the physical infrastructure requirements to maintain our Business Technology. The result has been a dramatic reduction of power consumption of our data center over the last 4 years. As the main occupant of a 75,000 square-foot commercial complex, DTM has initiated green practices with other businesses in order to promote sustainability. Changes in business operations include unifyed telecommunications, use and promotion of electronic data interchange (EDI) and the storage of documents in electronic formats where possible to minimize the impact of printed hard copies.

The future of our environmental management systems

In 2009, DTM will initiate a “minus 3” incentive to encourage employees who require a vehicle for work to reduce the number of car days use by 3 days each month (a 15% reduction based on a 20 working day per month cycle).

In the first quarter of 2009, DTM will complete our Unified Communications and Teleconference Strategies to reduce the need to travel to remote customer sites, decrease travel for training purposes and promote increased ‘telecommuting’ ability for staff.

An upcoming sustainability metrics audit will determine reduction goals in areas such as logistics, material use, supply chain, energy use and overall business operations. Programs such as BC Hydro’s Green Power Certificate and Power Smart Partnership, Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Challenge, Electronics Stewardship Association of BC and the Sustainable Purchasing Network are in place to be implemented within 2009.

Existing green initiatives currently in place

In 1987, DTM Systems began encouraging clients to trade in used and decommissioned technology equipment. Where practical, this equipment has been refurbished or re-sold. Where not suitable for commercial resale, DTM has donated usable equipment to both schools and charitable organizations. In recent years, DTM has donated hundreds of computers and printers to the Rotary World Help Network, which distributes needed equipment to impoverished countries. In addition, all end-of-life equipment has gone through provincial recycling programs since 1995.

For over 12 years, DTM has practiced energy conservation within its own offices by employing equipment that has been designated by both the manufacturer and the industry as energy efficient. An internal “lights out” initiative requires that all systems be turned off beyond normal business hours, where possible.