The Dos and Don’ts of Confidential Waste
Do
Use the confidential waste bins for ALL confidential
waste*
Don’t
Print confidential records unless absolutely
necessary
Report bins which are overfull, or are not being
emptied
Put non-confidential waste into confidential waste
bins
Ensure the confidential bin is not in a public area
(e.g. corridor)**
Overfill the bins (if papers won’t drop fully into the
bin – don’t leave them sticking out)
Plan ahead and request additional sacks from
Campus Services when you’re planning a clear out
Move the bin without notifying Campus Services
Ensure confidential waste is secure at all times
Don’t leave sacks of waste in corridors or abandon
them in the Porters Lodge, arrange for them to be
collected
For extra security shred records using departmental
shredders where they exist (but still dispose of in
confidential waste sacks)
Report bins which appear unsecure
* Confidential waste includes:

Records containing personal information (e.g. student records, staff files, pensions records, research
grant applications, medical information).

Examinations/Coursework including draft exam papers before the exam has been sat and
examination scripts, coursework, assignments and projects.

Records of a commercially sensitive nature (e.g. contracts, tenders, legal documents).

Records of a commercially sensitive nature (e.g. contracts, tenders, legal documents).

Records concerning intellectual property rights (e.g. unpublished research data, draft papers and
manuscripts).
When deciding whether something should go in the confidential waste bins consider the consequences of
unauthorised access to the information. The University is charged per sack, so although all confidential
waste must go into the specified bins non-confidential waste should be put into the standard recycling bins.
**Before moving confidential waste bins please contact Campus Services who empty the bins
June 2012