Waste

This content builds on outcomes of discussions etc. from workshops and information given by institutions through a request for projects.

1. Background and context
2. Legal requirements
3. Opportunities & Challenges
4. Examples of projects in Scottish institutions
5. Dealing with particular types of waste
6. General support from other organisations

1. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The National Waste Strategy for Scotland (NWS) was published by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) in 1999 and describes how Scotland will manage its waste more sustainably, reducing the amount being sent to landfill and increasing the amount being re-used and recycled. The NWS is implemented by the National Waste Plan launched in 2003 by SEPA and the Scottish Executive. The Plan contains targets for reducing the amount of waste produced in Scotland by 2020. There are different geographical Waste Strategy Areas each of which have separate Area Waste Plans that describe how different local authorities will meet the commitments within the National Waste Plan.

Colleges and Universities need to:

• comply with waste related legislation and policy; see section 2

• use resources more efficiently and reduce the impact on the environment; and

• reduce the cost of waste disposal by reducing the amount of material being used, re-using materials and recycling, all of which diverts waste from landfill and by doing so saves money.

Click here for further information on EU waste policy
Click here for further information on Scottish National Waste Strategy and links to relevant documents

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2. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Colleges and universities produce a huge variety of waste streams. All institutions in Scotland will produce commercial waste which means they must comply with the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991. It is also likely that colleges and universities produce some level of hazardous waste (also referred to as special waste) and clinical waste.

The EAUC Waste Management Guide includes detailed information on how colleges and universities should be managing their waste materials promoting waste minimisation and compliance with legislation. The guide has been developed by individuals within the sector and includes examples of templates to help institutions comply with relevant legal requirements and best practice.

Click here to access the EAUC waste management guide
Click here to access the SEPA netregs website
Click here to access the SEPA waste minimisation website

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3. OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES

There are a number of opportunities and challenges that have been identified by staff and students in Colleges and Universities in Scotland. Some of these are summarised below:

• Assess environmental impact of materials used in courses such as art and design for example - Canvas board versus framed board in art related courses - which has less waste? Use this as a means of educating students to consider environmental impact in their work
• Assigning budgets and recording expenditure through e.g. account cards or PIN numbers limited use
• Better project planning to reduce waste through over-ordering
• Clean and recycle bricks internally or sell to contractors for reuse
• Compost
• Create a working group of staff and students to identify present level of waste
• De-nail timber and reuse internally or sell on to contractors
• Dismantle materials for re-use or recycling
• Establish a collection scheme to recycle packaging from food materials. If paper and cardboard packaging can’t be recycled because of food remains, then compost it Packaging associated with takeaway food would be harder to control
• Furniture reuse and refurbishment (mattresses)
• Hold campaigns to promote waste minimisation/recycling etc
• Improve sale-ability of recyclate leading to funds to Student Association or charities,
• Include projects in curriculum that use waste paper as a raw material, the end product could then be sold on to generate revenue
• Mortar (art dept)
• Photocopy less and use scrap for note paper
• Request reduced or biodegradable packaging from suppliers
• Reuse bricks from estate development for students involved in building related courses
• Reuse timber/sawdust to chipping (art dept)
• Separate metal into ferrous, non ferrous and sell scrap for recycling
• Share more equipment and materials or enable students more readily to sell on to each other so as to reduce packaging and resource consumption.
• Speak to suppliers to reduce packaging
• Use recycled paper in photocopiers

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4. EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS IN SCOTTISH INSTITUTIONS

4.1 Reducing waste

Composting - Elmwood College

Elmwood College in Fife have been composting since 1992. They have reduced waste to landfill by 8 skips per year, saved around £800/year on uplift and disposal (~£100/skip) and reduced the need to purchase compost.
Click here for composting photographs from Elmwood College
For more information contact John Salter

Eliminating paper - University of Aberdeen

Investigation is underway into our operational procedures and practices, highlighting where areas can be improved. One aspect of this is ways of eliminating paper out of the waste stream through duplex printing, scanning and process engineering.
For more information contact Karen Hercus or Sue Richardson

Purchasing Recycled Paper - Aberdeen College

Aberdeen College prints all its paper based productions (e.g. leaflets, booklets, course catalogues, student handbook/diary, year book, course progression routes, business plan and international student guides) on post consumer waste de-inked recycled paper which equates to saving 9 tonnes of primary paper.
For more information contact Roger Taylor

Recycle content of paper - University of Aberdeen

Trials are taking place within our Central Printing Services with paper of different recycled content. Concern had been raised in the past over the performance of recycled paper compared with virgin paper. The trials are being undertaken to see whether the main users of Central Printing notice any difference in the quality of the product. If the trial is a success, consideration is being given to joining a purchasing consortium for paper.
For more information contact Derek Kemp or Gary McKinnon

Waste Audit - Moray College

One of the College’s students undertook a waste audit to identify opportunities for reducing, reusing and recycling waste.
For more information contact Doug Hartley
 

4.2 Re-using waste

Furniture - University of Aberdeen

The University of Aberdeen works in partnership with the Creative Waste Exchange to encourage the reuse of materials such as furniture and stationary.
Click here for the case study on the University of Aberdeen partnership with the Creative Waste Exchange
Click here for photographs from the University of Aberdeen and the Creative Waste Exchange
For more information contact Amy Gray

Computers to Africa – University of Aberdeen

The University is working in conjunction with Computers for Africa to find homes for surplus computers, now redundant by the University which are of a too low specification to be reused within the UK. We are hoping to work further with this charity in ensuring as many redundant computers follow this route, in accordance with the requirements of data protection.
For more information contact Amy Gray
 

4.3 Recycling waste

Compulsory Recycling Scheme – University of St Andrews

The University of St Andrews has established a comprehensive and compulsory recycling scheme for all schools/units and residences
Click here for the case study on the University of St Andrews recycling scheme
Click here to access recycling fliers for Halls of Residence
Click here to access recycling fliers for Self Catering Accommodation
Click here to access recycling fliers for paper
Click here to access recycling signs for bins
An example of how to communicate locations of external recycling bins (a list and a map)
Click here for recycling reminders
Click here for an example of a post it note for cleaners
For more information contact Roddy Yarr

Confidential paper – University of Aberdeen

Shredding of confidential paper to enable recycling as opposed to disposal to landfill.
For more information contact Amy Gray

Paper recycling – Moray College

A student undertaking a waste audit for the College introduced additional waste paper collection points in all offices. The College has recycled waste paper, cardboard and glass for a number of years.
For more information contact Doug Hartley

Recycling scheme – Aberdeen College

Aberdeen College recycles paper, cardboard, wood, solvent and plastic bottles – a summary of tonnage collected between January 2007 to November 2007 is given below:
Paper and cardboard sent for recycling 30 Tonnes
Wood recycled 10 Tonnes
Flourescent Tubes sent for recycling 1,400
Solvent sent for recycling 2075 ltrs
Plastic bottles sent for recycling 102 x 110ltr bags of bottles
For more information contact Roger Taylor

Recycling scheme - Glasgow Metropolitan College

Glasgow Metropolitan College provided staff and students with recycling facilities and services across its 5 campuses in partnership with Glasgow City Council Environmental Protection Services. It covers the recycling of paper, aluminium cans and plastic bottles. When the scheme was launched in August 2007 it took some time to make people aware of the opportunities available but now staff and students are enthusiastically recycling. Glasgow Metropolitan College also recycles toner Cartridges sundries and certain chemicals
For more information contact Janis Beveridge
For more information on toner cartridges and chemicals contact John Halpin

Tree Recycling – Glasgow Metropolitan College

The School of Design are close to finalising of a joint project with Glasgow City Parks Dept. As mature trees are felled, as part of park maintenance, they are currently disposed of in landfill. This project will bring these trees to the Dornoch St. Annex where they will be processed by a mobile saw mill unit. The timber will be stored and dried in a humidifier kiln on site. Although the initial cost of the kiln will be considerable, it will be offset by the saving on timber. The specialist wood will be mixed hardwood, exotic species and Scottish native trees normally costing approximately £750 per cubic metre but will cost the School approximately £50 per cubic metre as a result of the initiative. It will provide a working model of sustainability within the college. Students will view the process first hand, be able to work with high quality materials which are produced locally with no impact on tropical forests and finally create beautiful objects for future use – including seating for public parks.
For more information contact Janis Beveridge

WEEE – University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow has 2 approved contractors for the disposal of WEEE. The system requires that uplifts have a significant quantity of equipment to make the disposal cost effective. This leaves a problem for small departments that doe not have a significant quantity of EEE (e.g. administrative departments and 'chalk & talk' departments). The University has worked with its waste contractor to identify a means for dealing with small numbers of low value items (e.g. kettles, desk lamps etc). The contractor (Glasgow City Council) has agreed that it will remove separately collected WEEE and the charge to the University will be the same as we are currently paying for recyclable paper and glass. The University has purchased two dedicated bins which will be held at a central location. Removal of WEEE from departments and delivery to this location will be undertaken by Estates & Buildings. At present there are no plans to recharge the cost of this to departments. This arrangement is very much by way of a pilot exercise as we are due to retender for waste disposal late in 2008. Where producer take back cannot be applied departments are required to go directly to the two approved contractors for bulk disposals, disposals of AV and IT equipment and disposal of scientific equipment of significant value.
For more information contact Dr Ann Galbraith

Click here to go to the EAUC Resource Bank for more case studies and resources relating to waste.

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5. DEALING WITH PARTICULAR TYPES OF WASTE

This section provides links to information that gives details on how you might deal with particular types of waste:

• Batteries

• Bicycles

• Laboratory and specialised equipment

• General Waste – rationalising waste bins

• Special Waste and duty of care

• Waste electrical and electronic equipment

 

5.1 Batteries

Click here for the SEPA information on battery disposal

Click here for Issue 14 of the Waste Aware Scotland’s ‘Let’s get it sorted’ magazine which has an article on battery recycling on page 12. It refers to battery recycling pilot projects being run by WRAP with trials being undertaken in Aberdeenshire (Aberdeenshire Council) and Falkirk (Action Recycle on behalf of Falkirk Council) with Waste Aware Scotland.

Click here and here for information on Sainsbury’s battery recycling (the first supermarket to provide battery recycling in the UK).
 

5.2 Bicycles

Click here to access a procedure for abandoned bicycles.
 

5.3 Collection Services

The Disposal Services Agency can provide an outlet for selling unusual equipment such as laboratory equipment.
Click here for the Disposal Services Agency website
 

5.4 General Waste

Click here for a template to help with auditing and rationalising of external waste bins.
 

5.5 Special Waste and Duty of Care

Click here for information on the registration of waste carriers and brokers -

Click here for SEPA’s guide to consigning special waste

Click here for SEPA’s guide on Hazardous Waste: Interpretation of the definition and classification of hazardous waste (second edition-WM2)

Click here for specific information on NetRegs duty of care

Click here for SEPA FAQ on the Special waste amendment (Scotland) regulations 2004

Click here for Material safety data sheets on line – SIR MISDS Index

Click here for Fisher Scientific MSDS

Click here for MSDS from the University of Akron

Click here for European Waste Codes

Click here for a copy of the Red and Grey list substances (List I and List II)
 

5.6 Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

Click here to access a template for a Register of Computer Equipment
Click here to access a template for a Register of fridges and electrical appliances

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6. GENERAL SUPPORT FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS

The Children’s ScrapStore is a charitable organisation that collects safe waste from business which can re-used as a low cost creative resource by member groups. The Creative Waste Exchange Service operating in Aberdeen is one of a number of ScrapStores across the UK.
Click here for the homepage of Children’s Scrap Store
Click here for a list of ScrapStore organisations in Scotland

The National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) can help you identify a use for a waste product that you find difficult to dispose of by trying to find someone else that could use it as a raw material.
Click here for the main NISP website

Envirowise can provide you with free support whether it be a simple question about waste management or water and resource efficiency or a request to undertake an audit.
Click here for the main Envirowise website

The Scottish Waste Awareness Group (SWAG) can help you develop waste awareness campaigns and have developed signs for segregating waste on construction sites with the Institute of Civil Engineers.
Click here for the main SWAG website
Click here to access the waste stream colour coding for construction sites

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) can provide you with guidance and help to minimise your waste. They have developed short films that can be used for training and a number of factsheets on waste prevention, duty of care and composting as well as information on residual waste treatment technologies. They can also give advice on compliance with relevant legislation.
Click here for SEPA’s waste minimisation website
Click here for factsheets on waste prevention, duty of care and composting
Click here to access guidance notes on waste

The Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP) provides information and tools for improving efficiency and minimising waste in a range of areas that can apply to the activities within a college or university. WRAP can help you comply with the Scottish Executives requirements on recycled content within construction projects by helping you determine the recycled content of a new building. They also have a catalogue of suppliers which provide materials with varying levels of recycled content.
Click here for the main WRAP website
Click here for information on Recycled Content
Click here for information on how to choose construction products

Click here to access a list of organisations that can provide you support in a range of topic areas.
Click here to go to the Waste Topic Support Network Page.

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