Section 8 – Waste Management & Waste Reduction Policy
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGMENT MANUAL
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Issue Date: 12 January 2002
Authorised by : Marjorie Dickenson
8. WASTE MANAGEMENT AND WASTE REDUCTION POLICY
SimuLab is committed to managing all waste generated on site in an environmentally sensitive manner – in line with current legislative and community expectations. This will include all types of
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 waste such as:
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Chemical.
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Biohazardous.
Paper products.
Office equipment and components.
Vegetation and green waste.
Construction, demolition and excavated materials.
SimuLab is also committed to reducing the quantity of waste going to disposal by at least 50% by
2005 (compared to 2000 levels). This will be consistent with world wide waste reduction targets for similar enterprises and is designed to promote ecologically sustainable development by ensuring more efficient use of scarce resources and the minimisation of the environmental impact of waste disposal. This target will require SimuLab to seek out alternatives to waste disposal wherever possible.
The goals of this policy will be achieved by:
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Avoiding where possible the generation of waste
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Separating where possible wastes which are generated for re-cycling
Purchasing products with recycled content and low waste generation capacity wherever these are cost and performance competitive.
8.1. Waste Handling
All waste handled on SimuLab sites, and by SimuLab employees in the course of their employment, MUST follow strict guidelines in line with legislative and community expectations. ALL waste must be segregated and disposed of according to licensing agreements and be accompanied by current documentation.
Where waste is removed from the site it MUST comply with the NSW EPA waste tracking system . Wastes classified as:
 hazardous (liquid and non-liquid);
 industrial; and
 group A liquid wastes; are subject to special monitoring and reporting requirements by the EPA under the waste tracking system.
A waste tracking system monitors hazardous, industrial and group A wastes from manufacture to final disposal.
Under the waste tracking system:
A business or organisation that generates or stores waste must assess and classify its waste.
Any business or organisation that consigns hazardous, industrial or group A waste from its premises must follow some basic tracking requirements.
Two options are available, depending on the circumstances:
 deal directly with a licensed waste facility; or
 enter into an agreement with an authorised contractor who can make the arrangements on your behalf.
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Section 8 – Waste Management & Waste Reduction Policy
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGMENT MANUAL
Version:
Page:
04
2 of 3
Issue Date: 12 January 2002
Authorised by : Marjorie Dickenson
8.1.1. Using an authorised contractor
This may only be used where the consignor of the waste does not hold a licence issued by the EPA. A written agreement with an EPA-licensed waste transporter is required. They can then undertake the key waste tracking tasks on your behalf. These 'authorised contractors' must:
 obtain the consignment authorisation number from a licensed waste facility;
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 complete the waste data form; transport your waste to a licensed facility; and then provide you with a written receipt for the waste within 21 days of dispatch.
This must be kept for up to three years for auditing purposes.
As SimuLab is a relatively small company, the use of authorised waste contractors is appropriate. In order to comply with this, SimuLab has a list of preferred authorised waste management contractors that fit the criteria outlined in company environmental policy and approved by the EPA.
Wherever feasible a contractor from the preferred list MUST be used. The supervisor of the section disposing of waste MUST keep records of all waste tracked from their section .
8.1.2. Some Common Examples Of Wastes That Must Be Tracked
Laboratories for Research Institutions
Laboratory chemicals, acids & bases, solvents, specimens & samples, radionuclides.
Clinical laboratories
Clinical waste that has the potential to cause injury, infection or offence, sharps, radioactive substances, pharmaceuticals and poisons, chemicals.
Specific methods for handling categories of wastes are listed below.
8.1.3. Chemical Waste
Disposal of chemical waste MUST only be performed by authorised waste contractors, after segregation and labelling by SimuLab staff. All waste MUST be labelled according to hazardous substances legislation, and segregated (and handled) according to Australian
Dangerous Goods (ADG) legislation.
Under no circumstances must chemical waste be disposed of down drains, unless prior agreement is obtained from ByourWater (SimuLab’s local water authority) under Trade
Waste Agreement. The Laboratory Manager controls current Trade Waste arrangements.
8.1.4. Biohazardous Waste
This includes clinical waste that has the potential to cause injury, infection or offence, sharps, body parts, or other material with biological origin that has the potential to cause harm to other persons or the environment.
If possible, biohazardous material (with the exception of sharps) should first be autoclaved to reduce the hazard before disposal. Biohazardous waste MUST be disposed of into biohazardous waste containers, which MUST be clearly labelled as per legislative requirements (with the international biohazardous material symbol and colour black and yellow). After placing the material in the biohazardous waste containers, the waste should then be handled as per the waste tracking agreements. Under no circumstances must biohazardous waste be stored with other wastes.
8.1.5. Paper Products
These should be recycled wherever possible. SimuLab has arranged for paper recycling bins to be placed in offices and laboratories around the site, and staff should dispose of all appropriate paper waste in these. Those paper products suitable for recycling are described
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Section 8 – Waste Management & Waste Reduction Policy
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGMENT MANUAL
Version:
Page:
04
3 of 3
Issue Date: 12 January 2002
Authorised by : Marjorie Dickenson on the sides of the paper recycling receptacles. The recycling bins MUST also be made from recycled materials.
8.1.6. Office Equipment and Components
Wherever possible office equipment and components should be recycled. If equipment is not required in one area of the site, its availability for relocation should be communicated through the company newsletter, and those interested in transferring the asset to their location should negotiate directly with those currently holding it. If equipment is no longer required by the company, it may be donated to a charity, or sold off at cost to allow reuse wherever possible.
8.1.7. Vegetation and Green Waste
Where this type of waste is produced on site it should be sent to the Green Waste Recycling
Centre for processing into garden mulch. This will be used on company gardens to prevent water loss and lower the requirement for the use of fertilisers.
8.1.8. Construction, Demolition and Excavated Materials
These materials should be segregated into materials that may be recycled and those that are only suitable for landfill. Materials earmarked for landfill should be totally inert and fit in with the landfill requirements of the Local Council. Employees consigning this type of waste should consult with their supervisor, who should consult with the Council Environmental
Officer for current requirements.
Building materials that can be recycled should be retained for use on site if appropriate, or sold to a building recycling centre if not required.
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