Waste Management System. Procedure for the collection and storage of Fisher Packaging for recycling Corporate Procedure: CP-WMS 003 Authorised by: Charlotte Winnert Issue number: Two Date of issue: 4 th September 2008 Purpose To define the University of Sheffield s legal obligations and procedures associated with the collection (for reuse) of Fisher Scientific chemical packaging. Scope This procedure applies to Fisher Scientific chemical packaging generated by the University, the Medical School and the Dental School. Legal framework Environmental Protection Act 1990 Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 Controlled Waste Regulations SI 1992/588 Duty of Care Regulations SI 1991/2839 Landfill Regulations SI 2002/1559 Hazardous Waste Regulations SI 2005/894 Waste Management Licensing Regulations SI 1994/1056 Responsibilities Department and employees responsible for disposing of Fisher chemical packaging in line with the University s policy and this procedure. Portering Services responsible for collecting packaging from departments and storing it in line with the duty of care regulations prior to collection by Fisher Scientific for reuse. Chemistry Main Stores - responsible for collecting packaging from the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Physics and Astronomy and storing it in line with the duty of care regulations prior to collection by Fisher Scientific for reuse. Energy and Environment Team responsible for ensuring legal compliance and compliance to this procedure through regular audits at an organisational level.
Definitions Fisher Chemical Packaging Recycling Scheme Fisher Scientific UK operate a collection and reuse scheme for the following packaging with a Fisher Chemicals label: 2.5L glass and plastic coated glass bottles (Winchesters) 2.5L and 1L plastic liquids bottles (Mausers) Cardboard, with Fisher Scientific/Chemicals logo and recycling symbols used to the deliver the above Pulp inners from the above packs Wooden pallets and Stainless steel returnable drums and IBCs (1000L, 200L, 30L, 25L and variotainers of various sizes) They will not accept packaging materials from any other suppliers. Fisher will not accept bottles or packaging that contain hazardous products. Duty of Care All waste is subject to a Duty of Care. The Duty of Care applies to anyone who produces, imports, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste. In particular, waste holders have a duty a) to take steps to prevent offences involving waste; and to b) prevent other people from disposing, treating or storing the waste without a licence, in a manner likely to cause pollution or harm to health or breaching conditions of their licence. There are also particular requirements placed on those storing and transferring waste. Storage of waste To comply with the Duty of Care Regulations the University must ensure that all waste is stored in such away as to prevent escape or leakage whilst on site, in transit or in storage. The University must act to keep stored waste safe against: 1. corrosion or wear of waste containers; 2. accidental spilling or leaking or inadvertent leaching from waste unprotected from rainfall; 3. accident or weather breaking contained waste open and allowing it to escape; 4. waste blowing away or falling while stored or transported; and 5. scavenging of waste by vandals, thieves, children, trespassers or animals. Transfer notes and written descriptions The Duty of Care regulations require written descriptions and transfer notes to be completed when waste is transferred between two parties. On the transfer of controlled waste, both the University and the waste carrier must complete and sign a transfer note, which must be kept for two years. The transfer note must contain the information given below. 1. the identification of the waste; and Page 2 of 5
its quantity; whether it is loose or in a container; if it is in a container, the type of container; place and time of transfer; the appropriate six-figure code from the European Waste Catalogue. 2. the name and address of the transferor and transferee; 3. whether the transferor is the producer or importer of the waste; 4. if the transferee is authorised for transport purposes, which of those purposes apply; 5. the category of authorised person that the transferee (and the transferor, where applicable) comes under, or which exemption applies and why they are exempt. The description of the waste should mention any special problems and should include the type of premises or business from which the waste comes, the name of the substances, the process that produced the waste, and chemical and physical analysis. Procedure 1. Laboratory 1.1 Prior to collection for reuse laboratory workers must ensure that all Winchesters and Mausers are empty. Sodium wire (used to dry out wet solvents) should be removed from bottles, as it is difficult to see in sealed amber bottle and can be very hazardous to personnel handling returns. 1.2 Hazardous chemical residue must be removed and the lids replaced. If the residue is miscible with water then the containers should be rinsed with water; if not then the containers should be rinsed with solvents until the residue is miscible with water. 1.3 Only employees who are experienced in handling chemicals should rinse out chemical containers. The appropriate protective clothing, eye protection, gloves etc should be worn. 1.4 Labels should be defaced to indicate the bottles have been rinsed; Winchesters or Mausers that have not had their labels defaced will not be collected by the waste porters. 1.5 If not being used to store empty bottles, cardboard boxes should be flattened (but not damaged). 1.6 Departments should not place their own labels on to bottles as Fisher will not accept them for reuse the labels can not be washed off. 1.7 Broken glass bottles should be disposed of via the broken glass disposal route. 1.8 Packaging waste must be stored in line with the Duty of Care Regulations prior to collection by the waste porters see page 2. 1.9 Departments that have regular collections of packaging waste should place it at designated points on designated days for collection by waste porters, see the table on the next page. 1.10 Departments that do not produce enough Fisher packaging waste to require regular collections by the Waste Porters should book collections as required by contacting waste@sheffield.ac.uk Page 3 of 5
2. Collection and bulk storage of packaging 2.1 Waste porters will collect Fisher chemical packaging from designated collection points, see below, and take it to the central collection point in the storage room on Back Lane for collection by Fisher. If no collection point has been designated packaging should be stored in line with the Duty of Care regulations until a collection is arranged. Designated collection points Department Collection point Frequency Animal and Plant Sciences By lab doors (with biological waste) Monday, Wednesday and Antibody Resource Centre By lab doors (with biological waste) Monday, Wednesday and Bio-Incubator Shed 2 Biomedical Science By lab doors (with biological waste). Monday, Wednesday and Chemical Process Engineering N/A Hadfield Building Civil Engineering - Kroto Lift lobby (with biological waste) Tuesday and Thursday Civil Engineering Sir Frederick N/A Mappin Building Dental School N/A Engineering Materials - Hadfield N/A Building Engineering Materials - Kroto Lift lobby (with biological waste) Tuesday and Thursday Field Labs Lift lobby (with biological waste) Monday, Wednesday and Geography N/A MBB By lab doors (with biological waste) Monday, Wednesday and Medical School N/A Psychology N/A 2.2 Collections of Winchesters and packaging from departments can only be made by Portering Services who have a Waste Carrier s Licence (Number EAN/947266/CB). 2.3 Packaging waste produced by Chemistry is collected and stored in the cages in the goods inwards yard and in the chemical store. 2.4 The collection system does not operate in the Department of Chemistry or the Department of Physics and Astronomy, laboratory workers should take Fisher packaging directly to Chemical Stores. 2.5 Empty Winchesters must be placed in the cage provided by Fisher or in a Fisher cardboard box with the pulp components. 2.6 Plastic Mausers, cardboard boxes and pulp inners can all be stored loosely. 2.7 Packaging waste must be stored in line with the Duty of Care Regulations prior to collection by the Fisher scientific see page 2. Page 4 of 5
2.8 Fisher personnel collect Fisher chemical packaging when making deliveries of chemicals. Chemistry / MBB stores personnel will notify Fisher delivery drivers that a collection of packaging materials is required. Note: The Waste and Recycling Porters will notify MBB stores personnel that a collection is required from the central store on Back Lane, who in turn will notify Fisher personnel. 2.9 Collections of chemical packaging must be overseen by a member of University staff. All packaging removed form University premises must be accompanied by a waste transfer note. Waste transfer notes will be provided by Fisher Scientific and signed by a member of University staff. 2.10 Waste transfer notes and a copy of Fisher Scientifics Waste Carriers Licence will be filed in the Department of Chemistry Stores office and MBB stores, for a period of two years. Associated Documentation EG - 003 Fisher Chemical Packaging Recycling Scheme - Instructions for Departments Laboratory poster Appendices Waste Transfer Note Page 5 of 5