LEADING Ely company Shearline Precision Engineering is ahead of the game when it comes to protecting the environment. The company has taken steps to comply with Government legislation which aims to minimise the impact of electronic equipment on the enviro

LEADING Ely company Shearline Precision Engineering is ahead of the game when it comes to protecting the environment.

The company has taken steps to comply with Government legislation which aims to minimise the impact of electronic equipment on the environment by designing products with recycling in mind and encouraging reuse and recovery of waste electrical goods.

As the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive gained greater powers this week to restrict the use of substances such as lead and cadmium in equipment, the company was already complying.

"We've been aware of the directive for some time and have undertaken a comprehensive review of our equipment and production methods to ensure we comply," said managing director Graham Smith.

"Because we have a long-held philosophy of social responsibility, we knew about the harmful effects of many of these materials and had already taken steps to remove them from the manufacturing process wherever possible.

"I'm delighted to say we completed the review and were complying with the directive before it came into force."

In 2004, the company won the coveted "most improved company" category in the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Waste Management Awards.