Environmental
Awareness
Environmental Awareness
General Environmental
Information
WHY DOES THE ENVIRONMENT NEED
PROTECTING?
Pollution, the generation of wastes and the
depletion of natural resources leads to local as
well as global environmental problems including:
Health & safety issues
Global warming (the “greenhouse effect”)
Ozone depletion
Acid rain
Deforestation
Environmental Awareness
General Environmental
Information
Types of Pollution
Water Pollution
• from chemical/ oil spillages
Air Pollution
• from boilers etc.
• vehicle emissions
Soil Pollution
• from chemical/ oil spillages
• Incorrect disposal of waste
Environmental Awareness
General Environmental
Information
The University’s Interaction with the Environment
Generation of Pollutants & Wastes
Solid Waste
Scrap steel
Packaging waste
Waste paper
General Refuse
Liquid Waste
Waste Lab Chemicals
Waste solvents
Waste Oils/ lubricants
Environmental Awareness
Gaseous Emissions
Smoke
Particulate
Greenhouse Gases
Diluted Chemical fumes
General Environmental
Information
The University’s Interaction with the Environment
Depletion of Natural resources
As part of its everyday activities, the University uses;
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Electricity
Water
Gas
Raw Materials
Environmental Awareness
Benefits of an Environmental
Management System (EMS)
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Protection of the environment
Demonstrate compliance with legislation
Reduce risk and liabilities
Meet customer requirements
Gain marketing advantage
Reduce costs
Improve public image
Environmental Awareness
Significant Environmental
Impacts
Significant Environmental Impacts arising from
the University’s operations are as follows;
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Air emissions
Aqueous Discharge
Hazardous Waste
Non-hazardous waste
Energy Consumption
Environmental Awareness
Air Emissions
Environmental Awareness
Waste Recycling
Office paper
Fluorescent tubes
Cardboard
Environmental Awareness
General Waste
Environmental Awareness
Waste Chemicals
Environmental Awareness
Environmental Policy
The five core elements of the policy are
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Commitment
Responsibility
Protection
Communication
Continuous Improvement
Environmental Awareness
University’s Environmental Policy Statement
The Queen’s University of Belfast recognises that environmental issues are
fundamental to the future health and well-being of those involved in our institution, the
greater community and our planet. Thus, we seek to understand the impacts of our
activities on the environment at local, regional and global levels, to minimise these
impacts and to find sustainable solutions to environmental concerns. We accept the
responsibility of demonstrating leadership in environmental protection and
enhancement through our actions as an institution.
In support of these principles, the University is committed to:
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Promoting the protection of the natural and cultural environment on campus
and at other sites used by the University
Continually improving the University’s environmental performance through the
introduction of an Environmental Management System
Complying with all the relevant environmental legislation related to the
University’s activities
Reducing and where possible preventing pollution through the development of
effective resource and waste management strategies
Monitoring and auditing the University’s environmental performance and
practice at regular intervals.
Increasing awareness of environmental responsibilities among staff and
students
Making this Policy available to the public
Revision 2
Environmental Awareness
Your Roles in protecting the
Environment
Importance of Conformance with Environmental
Policy/ Procedures
What are your Environmental responsibilities?
• Follow procedures and work instructions
• Awareness of the environmental impact of your job/
activities
• Make a conscious effort to minimise and segregate
waste
• Make a special effort to save energy and resources
Environmental Awareness
Do’s and Don’t’s
Aqueous Discharges
• Do not pour any chemical or oil down any unauthorised drain,
please enquire with your Supervisor where and how this waste is
disposed.
Waste Management
• Ensure that all waste is disposed of in the appropriate receptacles
• Do not dispose of hazardous waste (e.g. fridge/ freezers, fluorescent
tubes, CRT Monitors) in the non-hazardous waste receptacles.
Remember the three R’s!!!!!
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Environmental Awareness
Do’s and Don’t’s
Waste Paper
• Reduce the amount of paper being used by the following;
1. Send documents electronically where possible
2. Photocopy on both sides of sheets.
3. Use old one sided photocopies for making notes.
This reduces both the amount of waste paper to be disposed of (+
associated costs) as well as the cost of buying the paper.
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Ensure waste paper is disposed of in the recycling towers
Environmental Awareness
Energy Awareness
• Last year, the University spent £3
Energy (Electricity, Gas & Water)
M on
WE NEED YOUR INDIVIDUAL HELP TO
CONTROL ENERGY COSTS
– Take responsibility for your work area
– Take responsibility for your Machine
– Take responsibility for your P C
Environmental Awareness
Energy Awareness
SWITCH OFF
Please remember to switch
off lights and equipment
before going home.
Environmental Awareness
Energy Awareness
Compressed air costs ten times more than
electricity per unit!
Environmental Awareness
Energy Awareness
Environmental Awareness