Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 University of Leeds EAUC Hazardous Waste seminar – 5 July 2006 Dr Keith PitcherEnvironmental Officer tel:37255 web:

Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 Environmental Policy The University approved its Environmental Policy in November This was also approved by the VC in March Our EMS: is the focus of all activities that have environmental effects; is the summary of our environmental performance; sets and monitors targets for environment improvement; provides new programmes and financial resources; and delivers a culture that embraces environmental best practice Waste management and recycling is a key objective We will conduct our own activities and operations to reflect best environmental practice, implement an environmental management system (EMS) to pursue sustainability and continuous improvement and seek innovative ways of meeting environmental objectives.

Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 Waste management – not recycling ‘I was shocked and appalled by our visit to the waste site yesterday; within 5 minutes I was knee deep in paper and books. These were not isolated incidences but originated from across the university community.’ – Quote from Environmental Co-ordinator

Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 Waste management – targets & performance We will meet or better UK recycling targets –25% by end of 2005 –30% by 2010 –33% by 2015 Office waste recycling scheme 80% complete across campus, finish in next 6 months Offices monitored before scheme implemented recycled 24% Audits carried out post scheme implementation –Mechanical Engineering56% –Estate Services62% –Psychiatry59% –Leeds University Union75% Voluntary scheme achieved only 28% recycling Electrical & electronic waste needed to have a separate collection & reuse/recycle scheme

Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 Hazardous Waste Directive Environment Agency provided advice and support Big change in emphasis –Mixing waste streams with IT equipment makes the whole lot hazardous –Much further distance to licensed hazardous waste site –Potential issues with IT equipment being found in a landfill –WITH University of xxxx non-removable markings!! –Big cost increases Project team established: –Information Systems Services, Cleaning Services, Environmental Management

Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 WEEE programme Review of systems – 2004 situation –Collection and transport of IT equipment to a local charity established by Leeds Council to provide employment –Issues with increasing volume of IT equipment and its condition –Issues with certification for transfer and disposal –Issues with medium term viability of the company –Donation of computers to schools in Leeds, Lesotho and Kenya –Use of waste skips, 1100 litre bins and in their vicinity to ‘dispose’ of redundant IT equipment

Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 What we found in unlocked skips

Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 New Electrical & Electronic Waste System Discussions with companies to collect, transport and process redundant equipment Assessment of likely amounts of waste Key requirements: –Licensed for BOTH transfer and processing –Disk wipe to a high standard (same as Home Office) –Efficient and regular collection from several university sites on campus –Provision of information on individual assets and method of disposal University financed costs of the scheme

Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 Issues to consider Pre-contract Confirm the ability of the contractor to carry out the work to cost, time and standards Check licensing with Environment Agency Follow up references Ensure disk wiping is to the appropriate standard Operational Get business case approved Set up internal collection system Confirm collection arrangements, one or multi pickup per campus Obtain records of items and disposal methods: –Reuse or recycle Don’t underestimate what will come out of the woodwork!

Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 Progress Initial assessment - a bit of an underestimate!

Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 Recycling performance In tonnes of waste from campus and 26.6% recycled –323 tonnes of waste paper –25 tonnes of cardboard –1445 electrical & electronic items –333 computers reused by ISS –reused by departments –150 donated to schools in Lesotho and Kenya –printer & photocopier cartridges & toners –6000 chemical bottles returned & reused –batteries, wood and furniture recycling commenced –Hazardous waste items

Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 Recycling performance Recycling % Refuse Paper Other ,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1, Tonnes

Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 Weights of electrical/electronic waste collected Weights of electrical/electronic equipment are summarised below

Environmental management Office waste recycling March 2006 ….and finally – support from the VC The VC said ‘The office waste recycling scheme has already been a great success, but we need everyone to take part if we are going to make a real difference.’