Corporate and Social Responsibility 

Corporate Social Responsibility has been a core business principle of ours for many years. Our legal, commercial and public responsibilities are met by management that is accountable. Our business is conducted ethically and with a strong social conscience. 

We understand that our activities generate environmental, social and economic impacts; therefore we seek to operate with sustainable business practices, which are supported by initiatives that generate a positive influence on society. We concentrate on four key areas: the environment, our marketplace, our community, and our workplace.  

Capital Transport considers Corporate Social Responsibility critical and our investment aims to help ensure that future generations enjoy the world as we have come to know it.

Our Environment 

Through defined initiatives Capital Transport seeks to minimise environmental impact wherever possible. 

Capital Transport intends to introduce emission abatement strategies to help offset the carbon footprint produced by our business and subcontractor drivers. These strategies will involve several key project milestones in proven environmental impact reduction techniques, the first being a $50,000 investment program commencing in 2007/8.  This program will include investment in a range of schemes including forest rejuvenation, renewable energy, such as wind and hydro, as well as environmental research for future improvements. 

This program will also incorporate our drivers and employees who can make voluntary contributions to assist, hand-in-hand with the business. Our $50,000 investment will remain completely independent of funds raised by our subcontractor drivers and employees. 

Our Marketplace 

Day-to-day business within the transport and logistics sector inevitably leads to an environmental impact. We have recently invested several million dollars on in-vehicle and mobile data units leading to a reduction in the use of paper throughout the business, including the removal of driver runsheets and driver manifests, as well as minimising general paper usage. 

Our technology has also improved communication between our business, our drivers and our clients.  Capital Transport boasts flexible Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) capabilities that allow for a more efficient Business-to-Business (B2B) transaction, once again removing the need to use paper-based technologies, such as facsimiles and paper manifests, as well as minimising the expenditure of energy necessary to maintain the infrastructure for manual processes.  

As a result of our investment in technology our vehicles are on the road for less time leading to a reduction in CO₂ emissions. By reducing our reliance on resources traditionally needed in a business Capital Transport is actively minimising the impact and footprint we leave on the environment. 

Our Local and International Community 

In 2002 we found an opportunity to substantially support an orphanage called The Holy Family Care Centre located in Ofcolaco, South Africa.  The centre cares for children orphaned as a result of the HIV epidemic.

To date our key stakeholders have contributed over $225,000 to the orphanage which has grown from 28 to 79 children predominantly living with HIV.  The children at the orphanage suffering from this terrible affliction range in age from newborns to 16 year olds.  Many of the children within The Holy Family Care Centre have lost their mother and father to HIV infection, leaving the children without a home. The centre could be considered a lifeline for the community; not only providing a safe and nurturing home for the HIV orphans but also educating, spreading awareness and administering antiretroviral treatment to those in the surrounding townships. Once the children grow up to become young adults the orphanage assists them in sourcing work and integrating back into the community.
Our contributions have helped the orphanage build a Day Crèche and an infirmary within the complex. The infirmary assists in the administering of drugs, which help boost the children's immune systems. In doing so the drugs prolong the children's wellbeing and help protect against associated disease. These initiatives, amongst others, have allowed the orphanage to source additional funding from the American Aid Program on an ongoing basis.   

Locally we support Windermere, an organisation that commenced in 1851 then known as the Melbourne Orphanage. The Melbourne Orphanage operated out of Windermere Crescent, Brighton but today operates as ‘Windermere'. Windermere is a not-for-profit organisation with their head office in Narre Warren, Victoria. 

We are now entering our 14^th year of support for the organisation, which plays a critical role in society, operating the Kids becoming Champions program (KbC) designed to help those children considered most at risk. 

Nationally we donate to the ‘Make a Wish Foundation', a charity helping those children with a life threatening illness enjoy something special as they progress through their ordeal. 

Our Workplace 

Capital Transport's intention is to provide our employees and subcontractor drivers with a safe and rewarding workplace in which they feel part of a dynamic and growing business. This includes support and a genuine career path for all employees. Our business is actively involved in maintaining appropriate levels of occupational health and safety standards whilst obeying all local and federal laws. 

We consider employee education of paramount importance and Capital Transport has contributed financially to the education of many existing and past employees, allowing them to complete degrees, diplomas and certificates in all areas of business. Education also includes external short courses and internal training. We believe that supporting an employee who chooses to participate in additional training will be of benefit to Capital Transport and the wider community. 

Internally, we seek to minimise environmental impact by critically evaluating our business. Our processes and procedures aim to incorporate techniques that will help contribute to a more sustainable environmental future. Possible areas of consideration include sourcing green energy, using energy efficient light globes, turning off power when the business is closed, recycling paper waste, as well as recycling toner and print cartages. Current print management ensures that our employees operate responsibly when printing, helping to guarantee that paper is not wasted during the course of standard business activity. 

Corporate Social Responsibility will remain a key principle for Capital Transport, which will ensure that we continue to make a positive contribution to society.