The Department's main operational objectives to achieve a higher quality of environmental performance in the use of its resources are:

—  to support better overall energy performance on the Government estate. To contribute to the new target of a 20 per cent improvement in energy efficiency on the Government estate by year 2000;

—  to prevent undue consumption and waste of water;

—  to operate a purchasing policy which gives full weight to environmental considerations in the procurement of all goods and services;

—  to encourage and enhance wherever practicable the recycling of waste in the Department;

—  to encourage more economical use of paper and stationery items and to extend as far as practical the use of environmentally friendly and recycled products;

—  to continue to reduce and ultimately eliminate the use in the Welsh Office of ozone depleting substances;

—  to ensure that all car purchasing and hiring arrangements reflect the Department's concern for the environment;

—  to ensure that all waste in the Department is properly and legally dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990;

—  to comply with the duty imposed under the Environmental Protection Act to ensure that land is kept clear of litter and refuse;

—  to keep under review the Department's policy on smoking at work;

—  to sustain a publicity campaign to raise awareness of environmentally sound working practices and encourage staff involvement in environmental action.