Reduce - Avoid the need to discard materials in general. Consider asking suppliers to take back any packaging or re-usable items.

Re-use - Just because you no longer need an item it does not mean another department or person can’t make use of it. Consider passing on equipment to others before you dispose of it. (See company policy for the re-use/recycling of items)

Recycle - Segregation of materials for recycling is essential for the reduction of the waste at the company.

Risk Minimisation - minimise risks of immediate and future pollution or harm to human health by dis-carding waste in appropriate receptacles and preventing it from escaping.

Disposal - Any disposal of waste must comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Duty of Care and any company codes of practise as per the attached list.

Organisation and Management

The responsibility for adhering to this policy will affect all staff.

Operations Management will take responsibility for ensuring that appropriate waste management services are provided to the company through a registered and approved waste contractor.

Managers should ensure that their staff are equipped to implement this policy encouraging staff and operatives to co-operate with waste management and recycling in general. Managers should take responsibility for ensuring that their department is compliant with the appropriate legislation and that procedures are prepared in accordance with the Duty of Care.

Legislation

The Environment Act 1995 - the Environment Agency has been made responsible for issuing waste management licenses and other aspects of waste regulation.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 - The majority of waste leaving the Company of Derby is controlled waste. This is described in section 74(4) of the EPA 1990 as the waste arising from household, commercial or industrial premises. Controlled waste includes waste from offices, food handling, shops and other domestic activities.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990, section 34 imposes a "Duty of Care" on producers and handlers of waste, "to take reasonable measures to prevent the unauthorised deposit, treatment or disposal of waste." This means the following:

• The Company must keep records of how much waste it is generating.
• The Company must ensure that a registered carrier collects their waste.
• The Company must ensure that all transfer notes are completed and filed detailing the type of waste for disposal. These must be kept for three years.
• Ensure that all waste is dealt with in accordance with the "Duty of Care".

Breach of the Duty of Care is a criminal offence and can incur penalties of up to £20,000 or an unlimited fine if convicted on indictment.

Hazardous Waste - To view the recently released EAUC Hazardous Waste Insight document please read the following:

The Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 (replaces the Special Waste Regulations 1996)

This legislation is relevant to those wastes that may be hazardous or toxic. They detail how hazardous waste should be kept, stored, treated and disposed of. In order to move this type of waste the Company has registered all sites that produce more than 200kg of hazardous waste per annum with the Environment Agency. All hazardous waste movements are recorded using the consignment note system and these must be kept for a minimum of 3 years on file.

Teams who are producing hazardous items as per the technical guidance WM2 in the consolidated European Waste Catalogue should contact Simon Byng who will advise on adequate procedures for disposal.

Fines for not adhering to this legislation can be up to £5,000 and/or 2 years in prison.

This legislation also replaces The Controlled Waste Regulations 1992 which define clinical waste as (where we are working in properties with sharps or in medical facilities):

"any waste which consists wholly or partly of human or animal tissue, blood or any other body fluids, excretions, drugs or other pharmaceutical products, swabs or dressings, or syringes, needles or other sharp instruments, being waste which unless rendered safe may prove hazardous to any person coming into contact with it"

Although now categorised as hazardous waste, for this type of waste the consignment procedure must be applied. Primarily this is controlled through Simon Byng.

All clinical waste (sharps) should be kept in lockable containers and collection, disposal and transfer should comply with current legislation such as the Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste 1992.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2005

These regulations aim to ensure that waste electrical and electronic equipment is disposed in an appropriate environmentally suitable way at the end of its operational life.

The regulations aim to cover all electrical and electronic equipment used by consumers and professionals, which would end up in the municipal waste stream. The key principle of this directive is producer responsibility for disposal. However, the company has protocols in place for the disposal of white goods and electronic equipment. Simon Byng should be contacted for further information in the disposal of such items.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 does have implications for waste disposal as it imposes a statutory need to maintain and adhere to safe working practises when handling and disposing of waste

Water Industries Act 1991

The Water Industries Act controls discharges to the sewerage system and the quality of water supplies. Dealing with the functions and duties of sewerage undertakers and the local authority who are responsible for the supply of water.

Under this act consent of the relevant water service company is required for discharge of trade effluent to the public sewer. Consents are given in relation to the quality and volume of the effluent. The regulatory body is the Environment Agency.

Any changes in the above legislation will be monitored and amended on a regular basis to ensure compliance at all times.

Confidential Waste

Particular care must be taken in the disposal of all confidential waste. If the confidential material is in the form of paper small amounts should be shredded and the shredded paper placed in the ‘office waste paper’ recycling bins. The disposal of all other forms of confidential waste is the sole responsibility of the lead manager. It is essential appropriate documentation is obtained and stored for audit if necessary.

• The Company will reduce waste arising from its operations and implement good waste management practises using the "cradle to grave" approach.
• The Company will reduce its consumption of materials when ever practicable and encourage and enforce reuse and recycling by its staff and operatives.
• The Company will encourage the use of Electronic communication where possible discouraging the printing of E-mails.
• Where practicable buy and promote the use of environmentally friendly products. This would mean avoiding using non-renewable resources or products that are polluting in their production and use.
• Trying to purchase items with minimal packaging and ensuring that the product is durable and repairable.
• Compost the organic waste from Grounds Maintenance and reuse on residential sites.
• If disposal is the only option left then the Company will ensure that the Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) is used.
• The Company will adhere to the "Duty of Care" as detailed in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in respect of all controlled waste.
• The Company will adhere to the Special Waste Regulations 1996 for all chemical/hazardous waste.
• Review the Waste Management Strategy annually setting targets for improvement and reduction.
• Encourage all staff and operatives to help in the implementation of this policy.