The Disposal of Biological Waste at the University of Sheffield Charlotte Winnert Environment Officer

Contents Background Review of old disposal system Legislation / legal framework Review of old disposal system Development of new procedures Questions 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Legislative responsibilities, the regulator and consequences Waste legislation provides a framework The Environment Agency are the regulatory body Most environmental offences impose strict liability Prosecutions can result in fines and / or custodial sentences 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Legal framework The university must…. Identify hazardous and non hazardous waste Segregate hazardous and non hazardous waste Separate waste according to its final disposal Store waste safely and securely prior to collection for disposal Ensure hazardous waste is collected for disposal from the point (i.e. building) of production and that the premises is registered with the Environment Agency Describe waste using generic descriptions Only pass waste onto licensed carriers and managers Ensure the movement of waste is accompanied by written documents 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Review of old disposal system No segregation taking place Sharps bins were being misused and disposed of incorrectly Yellow bins were being used to dispose of general waste Waste was not being described using the EWC codes The main storages area did not comply to the Duty of Care Regulations Waste was being bulked up at several locations GM waste was being sent to an unlicensed contractor Employees had not received any formal training 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Development of new procedure Working group set up to develop new system Based the new system on DoH guidance Developed a simple system that is flexible enough to be adapted by departments Produced a written document - The identification, segregation and disposal of biological and associated waste 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Written procedures are a valuable tool because they… Reduce risk Prevent mistakes Help employees to understand their roles Tell employees what you expect of them and when 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

The identification, segregation and disposal of biological and associated waste Purpose Scope of the procedure Legal framework Responsibilities Definitions The procedure – covers identification of biological waste, segregation of biological waste, inactivation, sealing bins and correct labelling, collection and bulk storage prior to disposal, transfer of waste and disposal, spills and breaches of containment, training and audit Related documentation 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Any Questions? 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Contents Revised disposal system Waste assessments Implementation of system Audits Problems Questions 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Revised disposal system Waste is streamed according to its disposal method….. Incineration Treatment Landfill Instead of the one disposal route biological waste – i.e. the yellow bin we are going to move to three and from one sharps disposal route we are going to move to two. This new system reflects legislation and best practice. Give out poster and go through it 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Waste assessments Waste from every procedure must be classified Appropriate disposal routes must be identified Waste assessments must be documented and communicated to laboratory workers 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Implementation of new system Containers Sealing and labelling bins Offensive waste stream Training Posters and leaflets Webpages New storage areas and additional collections Recycling team Meeting departments 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Audits Audits are designed to monitor the effectiveness of the procedure, to ensure that the University is not at risk of being prosecuted, to protect staff and to identify any areas where improvements can be made. A formal auditing system has been developed Waste audits will undertaken in every department at least once a year by myself 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Problems Still a lot of confusion about what waste goes where Not all employees have completed the training package Breached containers 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Any Questions? 11/19/2018 © The University of Sheffield