University of Ulster Students’ Union
Date:
Page 1 of 4
Environmental Record
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS AND IMPACTS REGISTER
Aspect
Condition:
Impact:
Normal (N)
Abnormal (A)
Emergency (E)
N
Direct (D)
Indirect (I)
N
D
Storage & use of cleaning chemicals (e.g.dishwasher liquid, bleach,
degreaser, oven spray, descaler)
Water consumption & generation of effluent from dishwashing
N
D
N
D
Bottled water use
N
D
Drinking water point (mains fed)
N
D
Waste fluorescent tubes
N
D
Waste batteries
N
D
Waste electronic equipment (including PC’s, white goods etc)
N
D
Waste printer and toner consumables (e.g. cartridges, toner drums
etc.)
Waste office paper for recycling
N
D
N
D
Waste packaging (cardboard, plastic)
N
D
Waste food segregated for recycling/ composting
N
D
Mixed general waste for recovery
N
D
Office Paper Waste
N
D
Scrap Furniture
N
D
WEEE
N
D
Fluorescent tubes
N
D
Cardboard
N
D
Waste Cooking Oil
N
D
Waste Glass
N
D
Use of PIR lighting in office areas
N
D
Installed water saving devices (urinal flush controls)
N
D
Potential for Fire
E
D
Potential for Spill
E
D
Disposal of floor washings to drain, empty containers & consumables
as refuse
Aqueous discharge from toilet flushings
N
D
N
D
Disposal of waste PPE & consumables
N
D
Use of consumables, paper towels, stationery, paper etc.
N
D
Noise
N
D
Staff and student travel
N
I
Electricity consumption (e.g. lighting, photocopiers, PC’s, kitchen
appliances etc.)
Natural Gas Consumption (Heating of University)
D
University of Ulster Students’ Union
Date:
Page 2 of 4
Environmental Record
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS AND IMPACTS REGISTER
Method for identifying the environmental aspects
All environmental aspects associated with the activities, and services that the Students
Union has control and over which it can be expected to have control are identified.
The environmental aspects are categorised as to whether they are direct or indirect
and whether they result from normal, abnormal or emergency situations.
A direct environmental aspect is one that the organisation can directly control, such
as effluent discharges.
Indirect environmental aspects are those which an organisation cannot directly
control such as staff travel to and from the Union
All environmental aspects are categorised as to whether they are as a result of normal,
abnormal or emergency situations.
Normal
Abnormal
Emergency
routine activity on site.
planned deviations from normal operating procedures.
unplanned deviations from normal operating procedures.
All possible environmental aspects related to the following general environmental
impacts shall be identified
1. Water consumption
2. Aqueous discharge
3. Energy use
4. Waste
5. Noise
6. Travel
7. Procurement
8. Emergencies
Evaluation of the Significance Level of an Impact:
The significance level of an impact, is evaluated from an environmental and
business impact point of view in accordance with the following scoring tables.
University of Ulster Students’ Union
Date:
Page 3 of 4
Environmental Record
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS AND IMPACTS REGISTER
Environmental Impacts: Reference Tables Listing
Table 1: Severity ( Extent of damage to the Environment & Local Community)
Effect
Hazardous without warning
Hazardous with warning
High
Moderate
Low
Description
Permanent Damage
Difficult to recover , medium term damage
May be recoverable, short term damage
Easily recoverable
Little or no impact
Rating
5
4
3
2
1
Table 2: Frequency of Occurrence
Probability
Very High
High
Frequency of Occurrence
Continuous
Daily
Rating
5
4
Moderate
Low
Very Low
Weekly
Monthly
Yearly or greater
3
2
1
Table 3: Likelihood of Control Loss - Detection/Monitors
Detection
Very High
High
Moderate
Low
Remote
Description
Not possible to detect this
Low chance of Detection
May be detected but not immediately
Will be detected but not immediately
Continuous Monitoring will detect
Rating
5
4
3
2
1
Business Impacts: Reference Rating Listing
Table 1: Regulatory or Legal Exposure
Description
High Exposure
Medium Exposure
Low Exposure
Rating
3
2
1
Table 2: Effect on the Public Image
Description
Damage to Image
Possible Damage to Image
Low Effect on Image
Rating
3
2
1
Table 3: Cost of Changing the Impact
Description
Significant Cost
Expensive
Low Cost
Rating
3
2
1
These environmental and business ratings are then added together to get
an overall impact score.
University of Ulster Students’ Union
Date:
Page 4 of 4
Environmental Record
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS AND IMPACTS REGISTER
Environmental impact evaluation of significance exercise
Impact
Severity
Environmental
Impact
Frequency
Likelihood of
control loss
Business
Impact
Legal
Public
exposure
Image
Total
Cost of
change
Energy Usage
3
5
3
3
3
2
19
Waste
3
4
2
3
3
1
16
Procurement
3
4
3
1
2
2
15
Aqueous Discharge
2
4
2
2
2
1
13
Travel
3
4
3
1
1
1
13
Water Usage
1
4
3
1
2
1
12
Noise
1
4
2
1
1
1
10
Emergencies
4
1
2
1
3
1
12
Any total equal to or above 15 for the Students Union is considered significant.
The Students’ Union’s significant environmental impacts are therefore energy use,
waste and procurement activities.
Its significant aspects are therefore those which are related to the above significant
environmental impacts.
The Union will prioritise its work to improve environmental performance in the
significant environmental impacts areas.
Adrian Davis
University Sustainability Manager
6th January 2014