Evaluation of Environmental Aspects
This documents Cardiff University Students’ Union’s evaluation of its environmental aspects and their
impacts.
Environmental Aspect : “element of an organization’s activities, products or services that can interact with
the environment.” ISO 14001
Environmental Impact: “any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially
resulting from an organization’s activities, products or services.” ISO 14001.
Control Rating Assessment Table
Rating
Negligible
5
Slight
4
Moderate
3
Medium
2
High
1
Description
No controls in place.
Some controls in place, but perform poorly.
Controls are in place, and work well, but are not comprehensive.
Controls are both effective and comprehensive.
Controls are fully comprehensive and go beyond what is considered ‘best practice’.
Severity Rating Assessment Table
Rating
Severe
5
Major
4
Moderate
3
Minor
2
Insignificant/Positive
1
Description
Damage to the environment is both severe and permanent/long term
Severe environmental damage, but the effects are non-permanent.
Significant damage to the environment, but the effects are short lasting. All
damage is repairable.
Noticeable damage to the environment, but the effects are very short lasting. All
damage is easily repairable.
The impacts either have a positive effect on the environment or are too small to
have any significant effect.
Impact Score
An overall impact score is obtained by multiplying the control rating by the severity rating.
Control Rating
Negligible
5
Slight
4
Moderate
3
Medium
2
High
1
25
20
15
10
5
Major
4
20
16
12
8
4
Moderate
3
15
12
9
6
3
Minor
2
10
8
6
4
2
Insignificant/Positive
1
5
4
3
2
1
Severity Rating
Severe
5
Red (>=12) = Significant effect
Yellow (>5<12) = Medium
Green (<6) = Insignificant or positive effect
Categories
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Emissions to air
Emissions to water
Waste
Energy
Resources
Community
Other
Review
The register is to be reviewed annually, or with the introduction of new legislation.
Environmental Aspects Register
Aspect
General Waste: Storage
and disposal.
Category
Waste
Condition
Normal
Waste Electrical
Waste
Equipment: Storage and
disposal.
Normal
Construction Waste:
Storage and disposal.
Waste
Abnormal
Asbestos
Other
Vehicle Exhaust
Emissions
Disposal of cleaning
materials to sewer.
Use of Electricity
Use of Natural Gas
Emissions to Air
Emergency
Normal
Releases to Water
Normal
Energy
Normal
Energy
Normal
Impact
Consumption of natural
resources. Environmental
damage as a result of waste
being sent to landfill.
WEEE is classed as
hazardous waste. If disposed
of incorrectly it could cause
both ground and water
pollution.
Depletion of natural
resources. Waste sent to
landfill.
Danger to human health if
disturbed or disposed of
incorrectly.
Local and global air pollution.
Increased pressure on water
treatment plants.
Indirect greenhouse gas
emissions from electricity
suppliers.
Local and global air pollution.
Impact Score
3x4
12
3x4
12
4x3
12
2x5
10
3x3
9
3x3
9
3x3
9
3x3
9
Controls
Waste is separated for
recycling.
WEEE is disposed of in a
dedicated bin, and is collected
for recycling.
Asbestos register.
Risk assessments..
Pre-trip and twice weekly
vehicle checks.
Speed limiters.
Regular maintenance
Increased use of low energy
lighting and other equipment.
Electricity meter.
High efficiency boilers.
Aspect
Noise Pollution
Category
Community
Waste Ink and toner
cartridges: Storage and
disposal
Waste
Disposal of cleaning
materials to surface
water.
Releases to Water
Refrigerant leakage
from A/C Units.
Emissions to Air
Condition
Normal
Normal
Emergency
Abnormal
Kitchen effluent
discharges.
Waste Lamps: Storage
and disposal
Releases to Water
Normal
Waste
Normal
Waste Furniture
Waste
Normal
Impact
Noise from night club and
students leaving the building
could disturb local residents
and businesses.
Ink and toner cartridges are
classed as hazardous waste.
If disposed of incorrectly they
could cause both ground and
water pollution.
Pollution of groundwater and
harm to wildlife.
Reduction in efficiency –
increased energy usage.
Release of HFCs –
contributes to climate
change.
Increased pressure on water
treatment plants.
Depletion of natural
resources. CFLs and
florescent tubes are classed
as hazardous waste.
Depletion of natural
resources.
Large volumes of office
furniture, and other items
such as shop shelving are
being sent to landfill.
Impact Score
Controls
Redundant air vents have
been removed and bricked up
to help contain the noise.
3x3
9
2x4
8
Notices have been placed
around the union to
encourage students to leave
the building quietly.
Sound checks.
Ink and toner cartridges are
disposed of in a dedicated
bin, and collected for
recycling.
Staff training.
2x4
8
2x4
8
4x2
8
All A/C units are regularly
serviced.
All fridges and A/C units are
de-gassed before disposal.
Use of LED lighting.
2x4
8
4x2
8
Aspect
Litter
Boiler Exhaust
Emissions
Category
Community
Emissions to Air
Cooking Oil Waste:
Storage and disposal.
Waste
Light Pollution
Community
Surface water runoff
from buildings, paved
areas, land, car parks
etc.
Recyclable Waste:
Storage and disposal.
Releases to Water
Waste
Condition
Abnormal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Impact
Potential to harm wildlife and
pets. The waste is unsightly
and could also attract vermin.
Litter can also block surface
water drains.
Combustion of natural gas –
Emissions of: NOx, CO, CO2,
CH4, N2O, VOCs, SO2 and
particulate matter (PM).
Local and global air pollution.
Danger of polluting water
supplies if a leak occurs.
Emissions from collection
vehicle.
Potential to disturb local
residents by disturbing a
night’s sleep. Obstruct
people’s view of the night sky.
Potential adverse effects on
wildlife.
Risk of flooding if drains are
blocked. This could also lead
to other problems such as
groundwater contamination.
Reduces the consumption of
natural resources and
prevents waste from being
disposed of in landfill.
Impact Score
4x2
Controls
Cleaners pick up litter from in
and around building.
8
High efficiency condensing
boilers installed.
2x3
6
Temperature control.
Bunded storage area.
3x3
6
All outside light fittings are
downwards facing..
2x3
2x2
6
4
Bunded storage area for
hazardous waste.
Paper, cardboard, glass, and
plastics are segregated for
recycling.
1x4
4
Contamination of recycling
bins due to a lack of general
waste bins.
Aspect
Use of Water
CO2 Storage Leak
Category
Resources
Emissions to Air
Condition
Normal
Abnormal
Impact
Indirect generation
greenhouse gas emissions
and hazardous landfill
materials.
Potential harm to human
health if gas reaches
sufficient concentration. CO2
is also a greenhouse gas.
Impact Score
2x2
4
3x1
3
Controls
Use of flush controls on all
urinals. Use of waterless
urinals. Use of low volume
toilet cisterns. Use of nonconcussive taps. All leaks are
attended to on the day they
are reported.
Cylinders are stored in a wellventilated area.