Terms of Reference
Recycling and Waste Management Sub Group
1.0
Purpose of the Recycling and Waste Management Sub Group
Assist the University Environmental Strategy Working Group with proposals,
recommendation and develop policy for UWA waste management including, reduce, reuse or repair, recycle and responsible disposal of waste. The aim is to achieve and if
possible over-achieve the requirements of all relevant environmental legislation.
2.0
Title
The sub group shall be known as “Recycling and Waste Management Sub Group"
3.0
Scope
The remit of the Recycling and Waste Management Sub Group extends to all waste
material produced by the University of Wales Aberystwyth. A definition of waste is
included in the attached appendix 1.
4.0
Exclusions from Scope
Genetically Modified Organisms
Releases to water to include sewage, radionuclide and fluoride
Releases to air that include radionuclide and greenhouse gases.
Radioactive solid waste
5.0
Legislative Compliance
5.1
Disposal of waste from the University of Wales Aberystwyth must comply with the
Environmental Protection Act 1990 and associated regulations. Section 75 (4) of the Act
defines most of the waste leaving the University of Wales Aberystwyth as controlled
waste and in section 34 imposes a “Duty of Care” on producers and handlers of waste,
to take reasonable measures to prevent the unauthorised deposit, treatment and
disposal of waste.
5.2
Breach of the Duty of Care is a criminal offence and can incur penalties of up to
£20,000 or an unlimited fine if convicted on indictment.
6.0
Objectives
The University will reduce waste arising from its operations and implement good
recycling and waste management practises using the “cradle to grave” approach.
The University will adhere to the “Duty of Care” as detailed in The Environmental
Protection Act 1990 in respect of all controlled waste.
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7.0
Meetings
Meetings will be held three times per year with dates, times and venues published in
advance. A copy of the agenda and any accompanying papers will be sent to all sub
group members at least one week before each meeting. Sub group meetings will be
chaired by the Head of House Services or his nominee.
8.0
Proposed Stakeholders / Attendees / Membership
Dr Andrew Walker, University Health, Safety and Environment Advisor
Mr Alan Stephens, Head of House Services representing Residential and Hospitality
Services
Information Services
Istitute of Rural Studies
Estates Office
Institute of Biological Sciences
Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences
Arts Centre
Guild of Students
Registry – Print Unit
9.0
List of Materials and Products for Management
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Paper
Cardboard
Printer Toner and Ink Cartridges
Fluorescent Tubes and Lamps
Metal to include beverage cans
Wood
IT Equipment
White Goods to include fridges, freezers and cookers
Other electrical equipment (WEEE Directive)
Furniture
Confidential Waste
Abandoned Vehicles
Batteries
Building / construction materials
Clinical waste
Chemicals
Plastics
Glass
PCB’s
Food / Compost (animal bedding)
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Recycling and Waste Management Sub Group
Appendix 1
Definition of Waste
Clinical waste. Any waste which consists wholly or partly of human or animal tissue,
blood or any other body fluids, excretions, drugs or any other pharmaceutical products,
swabs or dressings, or syringes, needles or other sharp instruments, being waste which
rendered safe may prove hazardous to any person coming into contact with it.
Controlled waste. Means household, industrial and commercial waste or any such
waste.
Hazardous waste. Hazardous waste is essentially waste that contains hazardous
properties that may render it harmful to human health or the Environment. The European
Commission has issued a Directive on the controlled management of such waste
(91/689/EEC) and hazardous waste is defined on the basis of a list, the European Waste
Catalogue, drawn up under that Directive.
Special waste. The term special waste is obsolete in England and Wales from July 2005
when the new hazardous waste regime replaces the special waste regime.
Waste. "waste" is "...any substance or object…which the holder discards or intends or is
required to discard."
There is no definitive list of what is and is not waste. Whether or not a substance is
discarded as waste - and when waste ceases to be waste - are matters that must be
determined on the facts of the case and the interpretation of the law is a matter for the
Courts. It rests, in the first place, with the producer or holder of a substance to decide
whether it is being discarded as waste and the Environment Agency is responsible, as a
"competent authority", for the enforcement of waste management controls in England
and Wales.
The European Court of Justice ("ECJ") has issued several judgments on the
interpretation of the definition of waste and the meaning of "discard". ECJ judgments are
binding on Member States and their competent authorities. A summary of ECJ
judgments on the interpretation of the definition of waste has been published:
ECJ judgements: the definition of waste
(54 KB)
Agricultural Waste. There is no definitive list of what is or is not waste. However
agricultural waste includes discarded pesticide containers, plastics such as silage
wrap, bags and sheets, packaging waste, tyres, batteries, clinical waste, old
machinery and oil etc.
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