Estate Management

Estate Management

Waste Handbook

Version: April 2011

• 1.0 INTRODUCTION
  • 1.1 Environmental Policy
  • 1.2 Waste Hierarchy
  • 1.3 Waste Management
  • 1.4 Recycling
  • 1.5 Alternative Disposal Arrangements
  • 1.6 Waste Incidents
• 2.0 WASTE CLASSIFICATION
  • 2.1 Definition of Waste
  • 2.2 Controlled Waste
  • 2.3 Clinical Waste
  • 2.4 Hazardous Waste
  • 2.5 Radioactive Waste
  • 2.6 Discharges to Drains
• 3.0 LEGISLATION
  • 3.1 Duty of Care
  • 3.2 The Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005
  • 3.3 The Radioactive Substances Act 1993
  • 3.4 The WEEE Directive and ROHS Regulations
  • 3.5 The Water Resources Act 1991
• 4.0 WASTE CATALOGUE
  • 4.1 Asbestos
  • 4.2 Batteries
  • 4.3 Books
  • 4.4 Cans
  • 4.5 Cardboard
  • 4.6 Chemical (Hazardous) Waste
  • 4.7 Clinical Waste
  • 4.8 Computer Hardware
  • 4.9 Computer Software
  • 4.10 Controlled Drugs/Prescription Only Medicine (POM)
  • 4.11 Electrical and Electronic Waste
  • 4.12 Explosives and Ammunition
  • 4.13 Fluorescent Tubes
  • 4.14 Garden Waste
  • 4.15 Gas Cylinders
  • 4.16 General Waste
  • 4.17 Glass
  • 4.18 Inert (Construction) Waste
  • 4.19 Journals
  • 4.20 Miscellaneous Laboratory and Office Furniture
  • 4.21 Mobile phones
  • 4.22 Oil
  • 4.23 Paint
  • 4.24 Packaging
  • 4.25 Pallets
  • 4.26 Paper
  • 4.27 Pesticides
  • 4.28 Photographic Material
  • 4.29 Plastic
  • 4.30 Refrigerators
  • 4.31 Sharps
  • 4.32 Toner Cartridges
  • 4.33 Wood
• 5.0 USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS
• 6.0 USEFUL LINKS

This Handbook has been issued by the Environmental Office in consultation with Facilities Management (http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/em/facilities) and the Health & Safety Office (http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/safety) to provide information to Faculties and Departments on methods and acceptable contractors for the recycling and disposal of particular wastes. It refers where appropriate to detailed Guidance for Departments issued by the General Board. This Guidance outlines the measures expected of Departments to ensure that the University remains in compliance with the law regarding the storage and disposal of waste. It includes information on aspects of waste such as classification, handling, containment and administrative requirements.

Lists of contractors and suppliers given in this Handbook are not intended to be exhaustive; Departments may elect to use others. However, contractors listed here are deemed by the University to be 'authorised persons', in accordance with our Duty of Care procedures (see Section 3.1). Departments must satisfy themselves that any other contractor engaged is similarly suitable to receive the University's waste.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Environmental Policy

University Policy on Environmental Issues states that:

In achieving excellence in teaching and research, the University of Cambridge aims to manage its activities, buildings and estates to promote environmental sustainability, to conserve and enhance natural resources and to prevent environmental pollution to bring about a continual improvement in its environmental performance. The University will comply fully with environmental legislation and officially approved codes of practice, and will make continued efforts to reduce its environmental impact through the implementation of an Environmental Plan which sets out a range of objectives and targets related to its significant environmental impacts, including ... to minimise waste and pollution, and to operate effective waste management procedures.

For further information see:

http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/em/sustainability/environment/management/policy.html

1.2 Waste Hierarchy

In keeping with the University's Environmental Policy, waste management procedures should be examined and individual waste streams identified. This in turn will assist in meeting the aims listed above. Additionally, it is the duty of all staff and students to attempt to comply with the Government's waste hierarchy, i.e.:

• Reduce the amount of waste produced;
• Re-use the material where possible;
• Recycle the material where possible;
• Recovery of any component parts or materials;
• Disposal as the last resort.

1.3 Waste Management

The minimisation and disposal of waste has become one of the most significant environmental issues of recent years. The disposal of waste can have a significant impact on the environment, especially as the total volume of available landfill is decreasing. The University produces large volumes of waste from its offices, Faculties, Departments and other associated buildings and, therefore, effective waste management will:

• Ensure compliance with all current environmental legislation;
• Reduce the costs associated with waste disposal;
• Enhance the reputation of the University;
• Reduce the amount of material sent to landfill by adopting the reduce, re-use, recover and recycle ethos;
• Improve the working environment for all staff and students;
• Reduce the environmental and health and safety risks that staff and students may be exposed to.

1.4 Recycling

Bar chart showing University's landfill/recycling waste in tonnage since 2005

Pie chart showing University's waste segregation 2009/10

Development of facilities for the segregation and recycling of wastes is a key element of the University's waste strategy. The aim is to raise the efficiency of our waste management system, making it more sustainable. Improving opportunities for waste minimisation and recycling will reduce our environmental impact by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.

A dry mixed recycling programme was rolled out across the University from March 2011, providing the University Estate the opportunity to combine all dry waste in a single collection bin. The following poster details what now needs to go in your office bin:

Landfill items can continue to use the black bags, but mixed recycling must either be emptied loose into the outside Eurobins or be in clear bags. Shredded paper can be recycled, but please put it in clear bags to allow handlers to see any contamination. Other plastic bags (supermarket shopping bags, or black bin bags) are suitable for recycling if empty.

Please note that certain items, including food waste and expanded (packing) polystyrene need to go into the landfill bin.

Please contact Facilities Management (facman@admin.cam.ac.uk) with any questions, or look at their website (http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/em/facilities/). The Estate Management helpdesk may also be able to help - please call 37784.

1.5 Alternative Disposal Arrangements

Should a Faculty or Department choose to engage the services of any of the contractors and suppliers listed in this publication (or any of their own choosing), they must establish for themselves that the contractor or supplier are 'authorised persons' in accordance with the University's Duty of Care.

1.6 Waste Incidents

Anyone involved in an incident concerning waste handling or disposal should complete an Accident, Dangerous Occurrence and Incident Report Form, whether or not anyone was injured. For more details, see the Safety Office website (http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/cam-only/offices/safety/accidents/forms.html).

2.0 WASTE CLASSIFICATION

2.1 Definition of Waste

The legal definition of waste is 'any substance or object... which the producer or the person in possession of it discards or intends or is required to discard.' Within the terms of this definition, the producer is anyone whose activities produce waste or who carries out pre-processing, mixing or other operations resulting in a change in its nature or composition.

2.2 Controlled Waste

'Controlled waste' or 'directive waste' applies to waste from households, commerce or industry, excluding waste from agricultural premises, waste from mines and quarries, explosives and radioactive waste. Therefore, the majority of the University's waste may be classified as controlled waste.

2.3 Clinical Waste

Clinical waste covers the disposal of any waste that consists of, or is contaminated with, human or animal tissue, blood or other bodily fluids or excretions, drugs or other pharmaceutical products, swabs or dressings, or syringes, needles or other sharp instruments, and any other waste arising from medical, nursing, dental, veterinary, pharmaceutical or similar practise, investigation, treatment, care, teaching, research or blood transfusion. For further information, please see the “Disposal of Biological/Clinical Laboratory Waste, Policy and Procedures” available at: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/cam-only/offices/safety/publications/hsd027b/ .

Information on how Clinical Waste feeds into the mixed dry waste recycling system is available here: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/em/sustainability/environment/guidance/clinical.html

2.4 Hazardous Waste

The Hazardous Waste Regulations came into force on 16 July 2005 and outline procedures for handling, disposing of and receiving hazardous waste. Waste is hazardous when it contains properties that might make it harmful to human health and the environment.

European Waste Catalogue
The European Waste Catalogue (EWC) classifies waste materials and categorises them using a six-figure code. Hazardous wastes are signified by entries where the code is followed by an asterisk.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/GEHO1105BJVS-e-e.pdf

Hazardous Waste Premises Codes
Sites producing more than 200kg of Hazardous Waste per year must be notified to the EA before the waste is moved. Several University sites have been notified to the EA, as shown below:

However, it is recommended that Departments contact the Health and Safety Division or the Environmental Office prior to arranging for the disposal of any waste that may be likely to be classified as Hazardous. For further information on the disposal of chemical waste, please see the Disposal of Chemical Waste Policy and Guidance available at:
http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/cam-only/offices/safety/publications/hsd018c/.

Hazardous Waste Consignment Notes
Hazardous Waste Consignment Notes must be completed every time hazardous waste is removed from a University Premises. Each consignment note should contain:

• Premises Code
• SIC Code (which for the University is 80.30/3)
• Description of the waste including EWC code
• Contractor information (including the address of the final destination of the waste)
• Consignee Information
• Signed, dated and timed by both parties.

A copy of the consignment note should be retained by the waste producer for records for a minimum period of three years.

2.5 Radioactive Waste

Radioactive waste management involves dealing safely with the long-lived wastes from processes involving radioactivity. All radioactive discharges in the UK are regulated under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 to ensure that radioactivity discharged remains well within internationally agreed levels, which are designed to protect both human health and the environment. For further information contact the University Radiation Protection Officer (ext.: 39531) or see: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/cam-only/offices/safety/radiation/.

2.6 Discharges to Drains

For the purposes of this document, discharges to drains are not classified as waste, and further information on these aspects can be found in the University Guidance Note on Discharges to Drains.

3.0 LEGISLATION

3.1 Duty of Care

The University has a legal responsibility (Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act) to ensure that any waste that is removed from University premises is stored, transported and dispose of without harming the environment. This is called our ‘Duty of Care’ and requires the University to ensure that:

• Waste is stored and transported appropriately and securely so it does not escape;
• Waste is transported and handled by people or businesses that are authorised to do so;
• Appropriate documentation is completed and retained for all waste removed from the University.

Breach of Duty of Care is a criminal offence and, if found guilty of an offence, typical penalties are:

• Magistrates Court - a fine of up to £20,000 and, under certain circumstances, a prison sentence of up to 6 months; or
• Crown Court - an unlimited fine and up to two years' imprisonment.

In order to ensure that the University complies with its legal obligations under Duty of Care legislation, anyone disposing of waste should ensure that any works comply with the following requirements. Please contact the Environmental Office or Health and Safety Office for further advice.

Duty of Care requires any such person to take all reasonable measures to:

• Prevent the unauthorised or harmful disposal of waste by another person;
• Prevent the escape of waste from your or any other person's control;
• Ensure that when waste is transferred, it is transferred only to an authorised person and is accompanied by a written description known as a Waste Transfer Note (see below).

It is therefore essential to ensure that:

Registered Waste Carriers License
Any contractor engaged to remove waste from University premises must be registered with the Environment Agency as a Registered Waste Carrier. The Environment Agency Public Register should be checked to obtain the licence number and expiry date.
(http://www2.environment-agency.gov.uk/epr/index.asp).

Non-hazardous Waste
Waste Transfer Notes (WTNs) are required when there is movement of controlled non-hazardous waste. These notes can be for a one off collection, or where there will be repetition, a waste transfer note can cover the collection of waste for up to a 12 month period. Each Waste Transfer Note should contain:

• Description of the waste including EWC code;
• Contractor information (including the address of the final destination of the waste);
• Consignee information;
• Date and signature of both parties.

A copy of the waste transfer note should be retained by the waste producer for two years for inspection by the Environment Agency on demand.

• The Waste Transfer Note must contain enough information about the waste to enable anyone coming into contact with it to handle it safely, and either dispose of it or allow it to be recovered within the law. Failure to provide sufficient information could result in prosecution. You should never rely on waste carriers or waste management contractors to describe your waste for you on Waste Transfer Notes. As the producer, you are in the best position to describe your waste accurately. It is not acceptable to use non-specific terms, e.g. 'general waste' or 'inert waste'.

• Both you and the waste carrier must sign the Waste Transfer Note before the waste leaves your site. If you transport waste yourself, you and the operator of the waste management site who you hand your waste over to must sign the Waste Transfer Note.

• The University is registered as a Waste Carrier (Registration Number ACE/107931), which allows University waste to be legally transported to a licensed disposal facility provided that it is accompanied by a completed Waste Transfer Note.

• A downloadable pdf version of a blank Waste Transfer Note is available below. Please contact the Environmental Office for advice on the correct details to be inputted onto the form.

• Waste Transfer Note

• The quantity and types of each different waste being transferred should be described on the Waste Transfer Note, both in words and by using the appropriate codes from the European Waste Catalogue.

• Some Waste Transfer Notes may also require details of the University's SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) Code, which is: 80.30/3 - Postgraduate level higher education.

• It is a legal requirement to keep copies of all Waste Transfer Notes for two years.

• Waste produced by the University is designated as Trade Waste and should not therefore by taken to a Household Waste & Recycling Centre (e.g. Milton), which are only permitted to accept domestic waste

For further information on Duty of Care, see the NetRegs website.

3.2 The Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005

The HWR, which replace the Special Waste Regulations (As Amended) 1996, provide an effective system of control for those wastes that are harmful to human health or the environment, or are difficult to handle. They ensure that such wastes are properly managed from their production to their final destination for disposal or recovery.

The main features of the HWR are to:

• Implement a definition of hazardous waste into domestic legislation;
• Require producers or consignors of hazardous waste to notify (register) their premises;
• Restrict mixing and to require separation of wastes where appropriate;
• Provide cradle to grave documentation for the movement of hazardous waste;
• Require consignees to keep thorough records of hazardous waste and provide the EA with quarterly disposal and recovery info.

3.3 The Radioactive Substances Act 1993

The purpose of this Act is to regulate the keeping and use of radioactive materials, and the disposal and accumulation of radioactive waste. Any person who keeps or uses radioactive material on premises used for the purposes of an undertaking must either be registered or subject to an exemption. In addition to the registration of premises, special provisions are made for mobile radioactive apparatus. Such equipment must be registered wherever it is kept, used, lent or hired, unless such use is covered by an exemption. Any person who disposes of radioactive waste (or accumulates such waste with a view to its disposal) on or from premises used must either be authorised or subject to an exemption.

3.4 The WEEE Directive and ROHS Regulations

The WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive, which came into force in January 2007, aims to reduce the amount of this waste going to landfill and improve recycling rates. The ROHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2006 limit the amounts of hazardous substances that can be included in new electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) place on the market anywhere in the EU. Both pieces of legislation establish guidelines that the University must follow when disposing of electrical and electronic equipment. For further information see The WEEE Guidance note:

• Guidance for the Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

3.5 The Water Resources Act 1991

Within the provisions of this Act, it is an offence to cause or knowingly permit the entry of poisonous, noxious or polluting material into any controlled waters (i.e. rivers, ponds, streams etc). Please contact the Environmental Office with any questions on how to dispose of such materials.

4.0 WASTE CATALOGUE

4.1 Asbestos

Asbestos is carcinogenic, and is therefore classified as special waste subject to the Special Waste Regulations 1996 (as amended). There is the potential for staff to encounter asbestos during normal maintenance and refurbishment works, especially in buildings refurbished in the 1960s, up until 1999. Issues relating to asbestos are covered by the Asbestos Management Policy, Responsibilities and Procedures document that has been published by Estate Management. Any enquiries relating to asbestos should be directed to the Asbestos Manager (Ext. 39953). For further information see:

http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/em/safety/asbestos/

4.2 Batteries

The Hazardous Waste Regulations of July 2005 effectively classified batteries as hazardous waste. This is because they contain corrosive materials such as sulphuric acid or potassium hydroxide, as well as heavy metals such as cadmium and lead. Some can be explosive under certain conditions.

All categories of batteries (including alkaline manganese, silver oxide, mercuric oxide, nickel cadmium, lithium ion, etc) are collected at the Estate Management Laundry Farm site, where they are deposited into two large battery storage containers. Please put batteries in a marked, recycled envelope for collection by UMS. Once the collection containers are filled, the Environmental Office contacts its battery recycling service provider, G&P Batteries, for collection.

For further information, contact the University Environmental Office (Tel: 37786) or the University Chemical Safety Adviser (Tel: 66353). Additionally, heavy-duty batteries (i.e. car batteries) that contain sulphuric acid and lead must also be disposed of using the University's Hazardous (Chemical) Waste Disposal service.

4.3 Books

Charity and second hand bookshops throughout Cambridge, including Books for Amnesty (books4amnesty.cambridge@fsmail.net) and Oxfam (01223 313373) will accept books in good condition.

Book Aid International, a charity that works with developing countries to promote literacy and education by supplying books and other reading materials, no longer accepts second hand books. However, Book Aid does accept books in mint condition from publishers. For more information visit: www.bookaid.org.

4.4 Cans

Drinks cans can go in your mixed waste recycling from March 2011.

They can also be collected by Opportunities Without Limits (OWL), a locally-based registered charity that supports people with learning difficulties, if your Department would like to separate them from the other recycling. The cans are taken by OWL to a reprocessor who exchanges them for cash, which OWL use to assist in funding their work.

Departments that elect to recycle these cans may wish to purchase a can crusher, reducing the amount of storage space required. Otherwise, a can collecting box may be ordered from the Environmental Office free of charge. Departments arrange pick-up directly with OWL. For further information and details regarding this scheme, please contact the Environmental Office.

4.5 Cardboard

Cardboard can be recycled in the mixed waste recycling stream. Please flatten boxes before putting them in the bins.

4.6 Chemical (Hazardous) Waste

Chemical waste (including out of date chemicals, any chemicals withdrawn from use, unwanted materials etc) should be disposed of in accordance with the University's “Disposal of Chemical Waste Policy and Guidance” available at: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/cam-only/offices/safety/publications/hsd018c/. This is also applicable to all water treatment chemicals and drums, including all biocides and water conditioning chemicals used for the control of legionella and other bacteria and similar water and air conditioning residues.

4.7 Clinical Waste

Clinical and biological waste should be disposed of in accordance with the University's “Disposal of Biological/Clinical Waste: Policy and Procedures” (see: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/cam-only/offices/safety/biological/).

Information on how Clinical Waste feeds into the mixed dry waste recycling system is available here: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/em/sustainability/environment/guidance/clinical.html

4.8 Computer Hardware

The disposal of computer and related IT equipment is covered by the WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) Regulations, which came fully into effect on 1 July 2007.

The Regulations require that WEEE should be:

• Collected separately from other waste;
• Passed to a suitable recycling contractor;
• Treated and disposed of in an environmentally sound way.

The Environmental Office organises the recycling of computer hardware and redundant IT equipment for all University Departments. Request forms may be downloaded online (http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/em/sustainability/environment/guidance/it.html), and should then be returned to the Environmental Office via e-mail (environment@admin.cam.ac.uk). The Environmental Office then forwards all requests to its recycling company, and the Department will be informed of the expected collection date.

Where possible, all data and licensed software should be removed prior to collection, but hard disks will be data wiped and/or physically disabled by the contractor to prevent access to any remaining data. Any reusable equipment is refurbished and remarketed. Any unusable equipment is disassembled for recovery of component materials, e.g. metals, glass and plastic.

Further guidance on the disposal of redundant IT equipment at the University can be found at: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/em/sustainability/environment/guidance/it.html.

4.9 Computer Software

In most cases, a Department may not sell their software. If the software is licensed to a specific person who is leaving a Department, the University Computing Service (Ext: 34695) must be contacted to revise the license.

Any floppy disks that are no longer needed may be reformatted, relabelled and sold or given away. Those floppy disks that cannot be reused should be destroyed and disposed of as general waste.

4.10 Controlled Drugs/Prescription Only Medicine (POM)

Controlled drugs are to be taken to the University Waste Store at the Addenbrooke's Hospital site (key is available from the Clinical School Reception), and placed on the right-hand shelf for collection and final disposal.

POMs can be disposed of as per the University's Disposal of Chemical Waste Policy and Guidance available at: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/cam-only/offices/safety/publications/hsd018c/ .

4.11 Electrical and Electronic Waste

The disposal of Electrical and Electronic Waste is covered by the WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) Regulations, which came fully into effect on 1 July 2007.

The Regulations require that WEEE should be:

• Collected separately from other waste
• Passed to a suitable recycling contractor
• Treated and disposed of in an environmentally sound way.

The definition of WEEE includes almost any item of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) with a voltage of up to 1,000 volts AC or 1,500 volts DC, under the following 10 categories (filament light bulbs are not included):

• IT and telecommunications equipment
• Large household appliances
• Small household appliances
• Consumer equipmentLighting equipment
• Electrical and electronic tools
• Toys, leisure and sorts equipment
• Medical devices
• Monitoring and control equipment
• Automatic dispensers.

The University has established a centrally-funded and -coordinated service for the legally compliant and environmentally sound disposal of redundant IT equipment (free for University Departments).

• The Environmental Office organises the recycling of IT & Office Equipment and small amounts of laboratory equipment for all University Departments. Request forms may be downloaded online (http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/em/sustainability/environment/guidance/it.html) and should be returned to the Environmental Office via e-mail (environment@admin.cam.ac.uk). The Environmental Office then forwards all requests to its recycling company, and the Department will be informed of the expected collection date.

• Please contact the Environmental Office to discuss the arrangements for larger amounts of non-IT waste (> 10 items).

Further information on WEEE can be found on the Environment Agency website: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/waste/32084.aspx .

4.12 Explosives and Ammunition

Any Department who knowingly has, or thinks that they may have, material of an explosive nature (or ammunition) for disposal should contact the University Chemical Safety Adviser in the first instance, prior to contacting Parkside Police Station (tel: 01223 358966).

4.13 Fluorescent Tubes

Fluorescent tubes and spent UV, mercury and sodium lamps are classified as Hazardous Waste. The University has a contract with a specialist recycling company, and redundant lamps should only be disposed of via this route. For further information please see the 'Guidance for the Disposal of Waste Fluorescent Tubes', dated October 2002, which can be found in the Guidance Section of the Environment Office's site on the University's website (http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/em/sustainability/environment/guidance/fluorescent.html).

Starter units for fluorescent lights that pre-date 1974 will contain persistent man-made substances known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which were commonly used as dielectric filler. PCBs are known to be both environmental and health hazards, which is why production was stopped in the mid-1980s. Starter units or any other electrical equipment that may contain PCBs should be disposed of in consultation with the Hazardous (Chemical) Waste Disposal Service. For further information, contact the University Chemical Safety Adviser (tel: 66353 or 63936).

4.14 Garden Waste

All garden waste originating from University premises (not including individual Colleges) is collected by a specialist contractor for composting prior to re-sale.

Please contact Gerry Wilcock, Head Gardener, with any questions (65176).

4.15 Gas Cylinders

All used gas cylinders should be returned to the original supplier. Any part-full cans or empty cans that have contained a hazardous material (i.e. have the hazardous black cross in an orange box label) should be classified as hazardous and disposed of through the Hazardous Laboratory Waste scheme, administered by the Health & Safety Office, in the normal way (http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/cam-only/offices/safety/waste/).

4.16 General Waste

Material that cannot in any way be re-used, recycled or designated for recovery processes, and that is not hazardous, should be deposited in the landfill 1100 litre Eurobins for collection by the city waste services prior to disposal to landfill. The implementation of the Landfill Regulations 2002, which seeks to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, is responsible for cost increases year on year. For this reason, every attempt should be made to initially reduce the amount of waste produced.

The change to dry mixed recycling by the University, in coordination with Cambridge City Council, seeks to drastically reduce the University's reliance on landfill. (See Section 1.4 for details of the items that can be recycled: the Facilities Management team can be contacted with any questions, but the following items are the main items that cannot currently be recycled through this system.

• Food/ 'compostible' waste
• Expanded (packing) polystyrene
• Drinking glasses
• Pyrex and reinforced glass
• Wood.

Landfill items can continue to use the black bags, but mixed recycling must either be emptied loose into the correct outside Eurobins or be in clear bags. Shredded paper can be recycled, but please put it in clear bags. These regulations are to allow handlers to see any contamination. Plastic bags (supermarket shopping bags, and black bin bags) are suitable for recycling if empty.

4.17 Glass

Flat glass, and glass bottles and jars can be recycled through the dry mixed recycling system. Tumblers (drinking glasses) and Pyrex dishes or reinforced glass are unable to be recycled this way and should not to be placed in recycling bins.

Departments with regular deliveries of chemicals should ask the supplier if they could return the empty bottles. If this is not possible, and if you have empty containers, the original contents of which would be special waste, you must dispose of the containers as special waste unless the containers hold less than 0.1% of their original contents. If the contents were of a very toxic or carcinogenic nature, that limit is further reduced to 0.01%.

Also, where bottles have contained highly flammable (HFL) solvents (flash point less than 21 degrees Centigrade) etc, any remaining solvent must be disposed of as chemical waste. The bottle(s) should then be rinsed out with acetone (acetone washings must be disposed of as chemical waste), and wash the bottle(s) out with water. Fill the bottle(s) to the brim with water (to drive out vapour), and empty the bottle(s) in a sink. Invert the bottle (neck downwards) in a fume cupboard or on a drying rack in a well ventilated area until it is dry and any remaining vapours have vented. Deface the label and place the bottle(s) either in a recycling bin or in the general waste bin.

4.18 Inert (Construction) Waste

This is a category of waste that includes material which will either not decompose, or will decompose very slowly. Materials in this category would include waste from the construction industry, such as hardcore, soil, stone and glass. All contractors are required to remove their own waste from the site. Recyclable inert waste produced by a Department should be taken to reclamation yards, builders' merchants or architectural salvage companies such as Solopark Plc in Pampisford (see: http://www.solopark.co.uk/products.htm). Should this not be possible, the waste should be removed by a licensed contractor.

Since 6 April 2008, all construction projects in England worth more than £300,000 (excluding VAT) must have a Site Waste Management Plan. A project must not begin unless there is a SWMP in place. Each project should have one SWMP, and - since the SWMP is considered a living document - it should be updated through the course of the project. A SWMP usually identifies the following:

• Who will be responsible for resource management;
• What types of waste will be generated;
• How the waste will be managed (reduced, reused or recycled?);
• Which contractors will be used to ensure that waste is correctly recycled or disposed of responsibly and legally;
• How the quantity of waste generated from the project will be measured.

Further information on construction waste can be found in the Environmental Office guidance note on Construction Site Waste Management:

http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/environment/guidance/construction.html

4.19 Journals

The Journals Project sends technical, scientific and professional journals to institutions and libraries in Ethiopia (http://journals.cambridge-quakers.org.uk/).  They normally make shipments about once every 12 months and are grateful for donations of journals in complete (or almost complete) sets of at least 6 months, usually not more than 3 years old (preferably Jan-Jun and Jul-Dec). They are based in and work from Cambridge itself.

They are a very small charity and rely on donations to cover the freight costs: around £1 per kilo by sea and land shipment. They rely on voluntary assistance and their only costs are for the shipments and some minor costs for postage and stationary.  Any donations (cheques payable to the 'Cambridgeshire Area Quaker Meeting (Journals Project)') are gratefully received. Mick Johnson, Journals Project Co-ordinator, can be contacted on journals@cambridge-quakers.org.uk.

4.20 Miscellaneous Laboratory and Office Furniture

Furniture that is no longer of use to a Department that has not been classified as hazardous by the nature of its use, and does not contravene current fire regulations, should be offered to other University Departments (see: https://forum.cam.ac.uk/index.php).

Departments may elect to advertise on the University Message Board. As a last resort, contact Facilities Management (facman@admin.cam.ac.uk) for further information on the collection of bulky items for disposal.

Departments should be aware that in accordance with the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991, they should be in possession of the appropriate Waste Transfer Note should they wish to transport any unwanted items to a landfill site (N.B. waste produced by the University is designated as Trade Waste and should not therefore by taken to a Household Waste & Recycling Centre (e.g. Milton), which are only permitted to accept domestic waste). The use of contacts through Facilities Management, or other recognised contractors, is therefore recommended wherever possible.

One possibility is AnyJunk (http://www.anyjunk.co.uk/).

The Science Exchange will pay for redundant non-radioactive laboratory equipment that remains functional, please see: http://www.science-exchange.com/.

Unwanted hand tools (especially carpenters', builders' or blacksmiths' tools) are collected and repaired (when required) for Cambridge Tools for Self Reliance Group (http://www.cambridgetfsr.org.uk/).
They are then sent to development projects in Africa and Central America. Equipment can be left at the following locations:

• Mackays, East Road, Cambridge (01223 517000) (http://www.mackay.co.uk/Charity.html)
• The Hire Counter, Ridgeons, Cromwell Road, Cambridge (01223 466154).

4.21 Mobile Phones

Privately owned mobile phones, or those belonging to the University that are no longer wanted or are unserviceable can be given to Fonebak for recycling. They were the first nation-wide mobile phone recycling scheme in line with current UK legislation. They are endorsed by all the UK network service providers and major retail chains. Fonebak will either distribute the phone(s) for re-use (after carrying out any repairs and extensive testing), or recycle all of the component materials. To benefit wildlife conservation charities Fauna & Flora International or The Woodland Trust, post unwanted phones (with SIM card removed) to: FREEPOST, Fonebak, FFI; or The Woodland Trust Recycling Appeal, FREEPOST ANG 20589, PO Box 137, Wymondham, NR 5BR.

4.22 Oil

Oil causes more than 25% of all pollution incidents, mainly by careless disposal of oil into drainage systems, onto land or to watercourses, which is an offence under the terms of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Water Resources Act 1991, and the Water Industries Act 1991. It is punishable with fines of up to £20,000 in a Magistrates Court or unlimited fines and imprisonment in the Crown Court for more serious cases. Used oil may have other hazardous properties; for example, used engine oil is carcinogenic and should be stored and handled with care and should not be cross-contaminated with any other substance. Waste engine and machinery oil, or waste fuel oil, produced by the University is hazardous waste, and should be disposed of by contacting the University Chemical Safety Adviser (Tel: 63936). Guidance for dealing with oil spills can be found on the Environmental Office's website (http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/em/sustainability/environment/guidance/spillage.html).

Waste or unused vegetable oil should never be allowed to enter watercourses or surface water drains as it can have a significant polluting effect on rivers, streams, ponds etc. Waste vegetable oil is classified as trade effluent and it must not be washed into the foul sewers without the consent of the sewerage undertaker. Avoid pouring such oil down the drain as it can cause blockages and problems for wastewater treatment facilities. It is recommended that waste vegetable oil should be collected by specialist contractors for reprocessing as 'e-diesel' (examples include EnviroGroup: http://www.envirogroup.co.uk/).

4.23 Paint

Any waste paint can be donated to a paint exchange scheme. A number of organisations in the UK operate “Re>Paint schemes” that collect paint from householders and give it away for re-use by charities and community groups (tel: 01223 576535). The Re>Paint schemes accept usable paint for domestic application. They do not accept paint thinners or strippers, varnishes, woodstains or specialist paints.

Due to the flammability of some oil-based paints if in liquid form, they may be hazardous waste and so should be disposed of as per the University's Policy for the Disposal of Chemical Wastes (see: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/cam-only/offices/safety/chemical/). Please ensure that containers are tightly sealed, and do not put brushes, rollers, paper or other debris in paint wastes to be disposed of as special waste. Allow these to dry out and dispose of as general non-hazardous wastes. Oil-based paints that have completely solidified are unlikely to be hazardous and may also be disposed of as general non-hazardous wastes.

For ease of disposal please ensure water-based and oil-based paint wastes are kept separate from each other. Unless otherwise labelled, water-based paints are unlikely to be hazardous, and should be reused wherever possible. If in doubt always check the paint's label for hazard information. All empty containers or containers with dried paint inside should be disposed of as general waste.

4.24 Packaging

Where possible, use the mixed dry recycling bins for packaging materials. Expanded polystyrene must currently go to landfill. Where you believe packaging to be excessive, please try to discuss possible reductions and re-use possibilities with suppliers. Procurement Services are able to offer further suggestions (procurement.services.enquires@admin.cam.ac.uk).

4.25 Pallets

The collection of pallets is centrally funded. Please contact the Maintenance Unit Helpdesk (37784) to request collection.

4.26 Paper

Confidential waste paper can either be:

• Shredded and placed in the outdoor green bins if these are held on site for food waste (contact Facilities Management for more details: facman@admin.cam.ac.uk );
• Shredded by the producer and deposited in the outdoor dry mixed recycling bins within clear plastic bags;
• Consigned to a contractor, at Department expense, for shredding off-site. Anglia Recycling
  (e-mail: enquiries@angliarecycling.co.uk or tel: 01842 810968) offers off-site shredding of confidential paper for recycling at a cost per sack or per 140 litre wheeled lockable bin. There is a minimum charge.

University telephone directories must be shredded due to data protection.

All other paper can be placed in with the dry mixed recycling:

Personal waste paper may be taken to City Council Neighbourhood Recycling Centres.

4.27 Pesticides

All unused pesticides, diluted pesticides, sprayer washings and empty containers are classed as hazardous chemical waste and should be disposed of by contacting the University Chemical Safety Adviser.

Detailed guidance can be found in the Protocol for the Use of Pesticides (see University's "Disposal of Chemical Waste Policy and Guidance" available at: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/cam-only/offices/safety/publications/hsd018c/.

However, generally:

• Minimise the amount of waste pesticide produced by prior estimation of the quantities of pesticide required;
• Contact the supplier to see if they will take back empty containers, otherwise thoroughly rinse out the containers and dispose of them as hazardous chemical waste;
• Sprayers should be washed down on areas of land corresponding to the 'target crop' for the particular pesticide used, and rinsing of pesticide containers should be added to sprayers for application;
• On no account are waste pesticides or rinsing to be tipped down the foul sewers, surface water drains or any controlled waters.

4.28 Photographic Material

Photographic processing involves the generation of a range of chemical wastes, i.e.:

• water-based developer and activator solutions
• fixer solutions
• bleach solution and bleach fixer solution.

These are designated as Special Waste and should be disposed of by way of the Chemical Waste Disposal Service administered by the Health & Safety Office.

Additionally, those Departments who use disposable pipette tips have the opportunity to recycle the plastic wafers and racks that come with the packaging, if not doing so already. The tip and wafers are ground down into polypropylene pellets and used again. For further details, see: www.starlab.co.uk.

4.29 Plastic

Plastic items - water bottles, yoghurt pots, plastic water cups - can be recycled through the dry mixed recycling office bins.

Clinical waste is covered above (see alphabetical listing).

4.30 Refrigerators

The Ozone Depleting Substances Regulation 2037/2000 (The ODS Regulation), which came into effect in October 2000, requires the removal of CFCs and HCFCs from the insulation foam as well as from the cooling circuit. This requirement came into effect immediately for industrial and commercial appliances (including those from the University) and from 1 January 2002 for domestic appliances.

Redundant fridges are now classified as Hazardous Waste, and must not be disposed of unless the ODS has been removed from the cooling system and the insulation foam.

Any fridges awaiting collection should be emptied and cleaned. Decontamination Certificates should be provided to confirm the absence of harmful or infectious material. Where there is a possibility of unauthorised persons gaining access, measures must be taken to prevent children being trapped inside. This could be by removing the fridge door completely, or by removing the rubber door seal and taping the door shut. Any mechanical latches should be removed prior to storage.

Disposal routes for redundant refrigeration equipment include:

• By contacting the University Chemical Safety Adviser. Equipment must be free from contamination and accompanied by the certificate that can be found on the Health and Safety Division website, along with a fridge disposal application form. Departments and Faculties will be charged for this service (including a nominal administration fee, which includes the cost of the consignment note). Domestic type fridges and freezers (white goods), both single and double in size, will cost between £50 and £200 each (excl. vat) according to size. Industrial fridges and freezers (stainless steel casing) will cost upwards of £200 each (excl. vat), again depending on size - http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/cam-only/offices/safety/chemical/fridge.cgi.
• Cambridge City Council (tel: 01223 458282) carries out a fridge collection service (at a charge per fridge). However, fridges and freezers can be deposited free of charge at the County Council Recycling Centres.

Further information can be found on the Environment Agency website (http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/).

4.31 Sharps

Sharps should be disposed of as clinical and biological waste as per the University's “Disposal of Biological/Clinical Laboratory Waste: Policy and Procedures” (see: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/cam-only/offices/safety/publications/hsd027b/). It should be noted that where needles have been used to purely transfer chemicals within a laboratory environment and have not come into contact with biological agents, they are then chemical waste. For further details, contact the University Chemical Safety Adviser.

4.32 Toner Cartridges

A number of companies will collect empty laser, inkjet and photocopier cartridges and either make a payment to the University or a charity. The Environmental Office uses Reclaim IT (www.reclaim-it.com) for its toner cartridge recycling. Used cartridges do not need to be pre-packed, and collection is free, however Departments are responsible for arranging pick-up through the Environmental Office's Reclaim IT contact, Andrew Keegan (01635 587060). For every used cartridge collected and recycled, a donation is made to East Anglia's Children's Hospices.

Alternatively, in some instances, the purchase of a new toner cartridge also includes the means by which used toner cartridges can be sent back to the manufacturer and/or supplier free of charge for re-filling.

4.33 Wood

Use the goods transfer newsgroup to offer waste wood to other Departments (https://forum.cam.ac.uk/).

5.0 USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS

Environmental Office
Email: environment@admin.cam.ac.uk
Tel: 39534 or 37786

Facilities Management office
Email: facman@admin.cam.ac.uk
Tel: 30285

Chemical Safety Adviser
Email: jh349@admin.cam.ac.uk
Tel: 66353 or 63936

Radiation Protection Officer
Email: ly215@admin.cam.ac.uk Tel: 66354

Biological Sciences Safety Officer (Mark Elsdon)
Email: mje23@admin.cam.ac.uk
Tel: 32797

Asbestos Team
Email: asbestos.management@admin.cam.ac.uk
Tel: 66760

Procurement Services
Email: procurement.services.enquires@admin.cam.ac.uk
Tel: 32233

6.0 USEFUL LINKS

'Green Procurement Guide: Guidance on Environmental Aspects of Purchasing'

University of Cambridge's Environmental Policy