Environment QTS is passionate about the environment and we are committed to increasing our sustainability as a business. We have implemented various initiatives for our team across the UK including: The PictureThis App Our vegetation team is constantly working amongst various species of plants so, the QTS environmental team researched available apps that would aid them in identifying different plant species. After trialling options, the ‘PictureThis’ app was identified as the most reliable and accurate, with a very easy user interface to make it accessible for all. This app will greatly help site operatives quickly and accurately identify plant species when looking for invasive/protected species while carrying out work. A detailed help guide for using the app has been designed by the environmental team to ensure that when operatives are working, they can effectively manage vegetation without putting any risk to the surrounding biodiversity. Asian Hornet Programme QTS has developed a small awareness campaign for the Asian hornet. A toolbox talk, to be sent out to site operators, has been developed along with a poster for sites both encouraging the reporting of and how to identify Asian hornets. They are detrimental to the local biodiversity and keeping the species out of the UK is very important to the government. Bumble Bee Project QTS launched this this project to enhance long term biodiversity on site through supporting pollinator species. The railway lineside provides an excellent habitat for bees all across the UK and, by encouraging their presence on site, we can help reduce the pressure on these species. This was pioneered at a site in Kirkconnel, South West Scotland in 2016. A 6-8 week old colony was installed on site in personalised QTS villas with integral sugar supply for back up. These then grow and hopefully spread to grow multiple colonies after hibernating. QTS Electric Van We have procured our first electric van! QTS' biggest carbon footprint is our fuel use and so to start offsetting this, we decided to trial an electric van. Opting for a Nissan ENV200, it has been custom wrapped to distinguish it from our other vehicles. Peatbog The QTS headquarters at Rench Farm, Drumclog, has a 30Ha peatbog within the property. When the land was originally purchased the peatbog was not in good condition. In 2014, QTS was granted a Green Stimulus Peatland Restoration Fund by the Scottish Natural Heritage. We used this to start phase 1 of restoring our peatland. We made a series or drainage ditches and dams to help improve the condition and make a solid foundation on which to build further work on. Now, we are starting the application process for a new round of funding to start further restoration. This peatbog is also being developed in the hopes of using it as a carbon offset for the company to try and neutralise our carbon footprint. Solar Panels At the QTS headquarters, there is a small collection of solar panels. This is a 50kw system, however in the future we would like to expand this and also look into temporary/portable options for our other offices where we don’t own the buildings. Water Bottles QTS hands out QTS water bottles to its employees as part of an environmentally friendly awareness campaign. In order to reduce out plastic use and do our part we have eliminated one-use plastic cups for our drinking fountains an instead use these as a reusable source. 01357 440222 info@qtsgroup.com Home News QTS Social Contact Cookie Policy QTS Training © QTS Group 2016. All rights reserved Website by Microtech Digital QTS Group Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renew Holdings plc About Us What We Do Mission Statement Certifications Meet The Team Life Saving Rules Policies Environment Strategic Partnerships Our Partners Youth Athletes Previous Youth Athletes Work with us Supply Chain Excellence Recruitment Capabilites Vegetation Management Fencing Drainage & Track Cleaning Civil Engineering Specialist Plant Electrification Case Studies Vegetation Management Fencing Drainage & Track Cleaning Civil Engineering Electrification Plant Fleet Vegetation Fleet Specialised Rail Excavators & Cranes Jetters & Vactors Electrification Fleet