Guidelines for Waste Minimisation and Management

Please note that compliance with University Guidelines is expected in normal circumstances, and any deviation from Guidelines – which should only be in exceptional circumstances – needs to be justifiable.

Purpose

The purpose of these guidelines is to give effect to Article 2 of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and Tī Kōuka 2030, by reducing the impact of waste from all university campuses on the natural environment and supporting a more circular economy/Ōhaka Āmiomio.

Tī Kōuka 2030 is the University’s sustainability strategic framework, which describes a future where we have a fair and circular economy/ Ōhaka Āmiomio.

Within Te Ao Māori, the relationship between the natural environment and humans is inseparably linked through whakapapa (genealogy). This connects all living things in our environment to Papatūānuku and Rakinui. Therefore, any pollution of te taiao (the environment) by waste, impacts upon the ability of Iwi to exercise Rakatirataka over whenua and taoka o te taiao (natural resources) as provided for in Article 2 of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Organisational scope

The guidelines apply to all university campuses and properties unless indicated otherwise.

Definitions

Actionably recyclable

Actionable recycling refers to items that are designed to be recyclable when there is the means to have the item recycled. Cups that are recyclable, where there is no mean to collect or recycle them, are not actionably recyclable.

Circular Economy/Ōhaka Āmiomio

While concepts of nurturing and reusing resources in Te Ao Māori predate any modern notion of a circular economy, there is significant shared thinking in an economic system based on designing out waste and pollution, reusing products and materials, and regenerating natural systems.

Construction and Demolition Waste

Waste generated from the construction or demolition of a building including the preparation and/or clearance of the property or site. This excludes materials such as clay, soil and rock when those materials are associated with infrastructure such as road construction and maintenance, but includes building-related infrastructure.

Electronic Waste (E-Waste)

Most electrical devices with a circuit board or strong metallic content that are no  longer useful. This equipment may contain chemicals that are hazardous to the environment if they are not disposed of correctly, and sensitive data that needs to be securely deleted.

Some common examples include:

• Computers, laptops, and associated equipment
• Televisions, LCD and CRT monitors
• Mobile phones
• Camcorders and VHS / DVD players
• Mass spectrometers
• scanners and printers/multifunction devices, etc
• Microwaves, vacuums, stereo and audio transcribing equipment
• Scientific and technical equipment
• Electronic measuring devices and electric motors
• Power cords and data cables

Events

Events are categorised as any gatherings (excluding timetabled classes) that involve more than 20 people.

Green Waste

Also known as garden waste, this includes waste produced through gardening both commercial and domestic.

Hazardous Waste

Materials that are flammable, explosive, oxidising, corrosive, toxic, ecotoxic, radioactive or infectious. Examples include solvents and cleaning fluids, medical waste, unused agricultural chemicals and many items of industrial waste.

Mixed or Comingled Recycling

Where different recyclable materials are collected and mingled together in one bin or truck. Comingled recycling requires later sorting to separate the different materials.

Organic waste

Organic waste represents an opportunity to return resources to the natural environment.  Organic waste is capable of being readily biologically degraded, including by natural processes, such as paper, food residuals, wood waste, garden, and plant waste. It does not include inorganic materials such as metals and glass or plastic.
For these guidelines we are excluding paper and wood waste as they will generally fall under other specific recycling categories.

Waste Hierarchy

The waste hierarchy orders preferred waste management options. The most preferred option is reduce, followed by re-use, recycling, recovery, treatment and, lastly, disposal.

Content

1. Overview of Waste Management and Minimisation Principles

   1. From he tirohaka Māori (a Māori perspective) respect for natural resources and the materials made from them is demonstrated by maintaining their value for as long as possible, and at the resources’ end-of life they are disposed of in a way that causes the least harm to te taiao (the environment) possible. This acknowledges the mauri (life force) of all natural resources, a concept which while predating modern concepts of a circular economy, can be seen as aligned with a waste hierarchy model
   2. Waste management and minimisation across all University campuses and premises should align with the following hierarchy when addressing waste, thus acknowledging the mauri of the natural resource we have a responsibility for:
   1. Reduce, Rethink, Redesign
   2. Reuse, Repair, Repurpose
   3. Recycle, Compost, Anaerobic digestion (waste broken down by microbes in the absence of oxygen)
   4. Recover value (eg. Energy) from materials that cannot be reused or recycling
   5. Treat and dispose
   3. Health and Safety Policy and Procedures must be followed at every point in the management of the University’s waste. This may include the completion of a risk assessment to ensure consideration of aspects such as manual handling techniques.
   4. Innovation within the waste space is encouraged to promote the Waste Hierarchy.
   5. Regular reporting of waste is required.

2. Operational Space Waste (e.g. office, kitchens, public, teaching)

   1. Waste minimisation should be considered when ordering operational supplies (including office, kitchen, trades etc):
      1. This includes rethinking the supplies that are needed to eliminate over-ordering.
      2. Orders should be grouped into batches to reduce packaging and transport associated with many small orders.
      3. Where more refillable or recyclable options are available, they should be considered first choice for purchasing giving reasonable consideration to cost.
   2. All assets should be managed in accordance with the Fixed Assets Procedure and the Waste Hierarchy. For example, the reuse/reallocation/gifting of furniture should be explored before disposal.
   3. All spaces must have:
      1. Separated waste streams which include as a minimum landfill, paper, and mixed recycling.
      2. Additional facilities for glass recycling  where required, including kitchens, and common spaces.
      3. Additional facilities for specialised waste e.g. coffee ground bins  as required.
      4. Clear signage and online resources to support the effective use of waste facilities.
      5. Where required, document destruction bins must be available for staff to use, or shredders must be available for use.
   4. All custodial service providers must have a clear understanding of the importance of, and processes for recycling in the areas in which they provide services.
   5. Staff and students with allocated office space should be given an induction to provide information about waste and recycling in their areas.
   6. Leased Spaces owned by the University, but not occupied by the University, must adhere to the University Waste Minimisation and Management Guidelines where practicable.
   7. Non-University owned leased spaces occupied by the University must follow the appropriate sections of the University Waste Minimisation and Management Guidelines where practicable.
   8. Organic Waste should be dealt with in alignment with the waste hierarchy
      1. Food waste should be minimised through effective ordering and recipe creation.
      2. Organic waste collections should occur were possible based on services available.
      3. Regular food waste audits should be conducted by kitchens to inform practice.
      4. Where possible, unsold/excess food should be donated to food waste recovery organisations, or other areas of need.
      5. Where possible organic gardening waste should be composted at the University facility (Dunedin).
      6. Consideration should be given to grounds design to reduce green waste from plantings that cannot be composted.
   9. Laboratory
      1. Laboratory waste must be dealt with in accordance with the health and safety guidelines (Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Policy, and the HSNO -Exempt Laboratory Compliance Policy).
      2. Departments using laboratories should consider creating laboratory waste plans to avoid excess waste being created and promote the Waste Hierarchy.

3. Hazardous and specialised waste

   1. Health and safety policies must be followed for any Hazardous Waste, including but not limited to Health and Safety Policy, Asbestos Management Policy, Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Policy (Biohazard Safety Manual), HSNO-Exempt Laboratory Compliance policy and the Laboratory Biohazard Waste Disposal Procedures.
   2. Medical facilities e.g. clinics  must follow section 3a and for any non-hazardous waste, sections 2a-2f should be considered.
   3. For new products containing refrigerants, the Design and Facility Standards (available from Campus Development) must be followed to reduce and eliminate the end disposal waste of greenhouse gases (such as hydrofluorocarbons).
   4. Existing items (e.g. Heat Pumps and refrigeration units) containing refrigerants (hydrofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons) must follow the relevant regulations for disposal.
   5. The Waste Hierarchy as described above should be applied to E-Waste and batteries, while complying with the Asset Procedures. This may include: reuse of products across the University (preferable), repurpose to students, schools, and community groups, or if neither reuse or repurpose is possible, then recycling should occur.
   6. No E-Waste or batteries are to be placed in the general waste due to the environmental and fire risk implications of E-Waste in the landfill collection and disposal.

4. Residential Colleges and Uniflats

   1. Sustainability and the Waste Hierarchy should be considered in all aspects of campus living.
   2. Furniture across the Residential Colleges and Uniflats should be managed in accordance with the Asset Management Procedure and the Waste Hierarchy.
   3. All aspects of section 2 should be considered where practicable.
   4. Food waste should be avoided by ordering what is required, re-serving excess portions when appropriate, consideration in menu planning decisions, and donating to food recovery organisations or other appropriate recipients.
   5. Single-Use items such as disposable plates and cutlery should be discouraged, and where present they should be subject to Actionable Recycling.
   6. Users must be provided with adequate disposal instructions for Actionable Recycling to take place.
   7. All common spaces should have recycling and rubbish options available as per Section 2.
   8. Responsible waste behaviour should be part of all student’s induction at all Residential Colleges and Uniflats.

5. Construction and Trade Services Waste

   1. Waste should be considered in all aspects of construction projects.
   2. All projects should have a waste minimisation plan that follows the Waste Hierarchy to reduce the environmental impact of the build, including monitoring and measuring their waste to ensure diversion targets are met.
   3. Where possible, items should be reused or repurposed, including offering unused products to community groups where practicable
   4. Waste should be sorted into recyclable materials: The following materials should be sorted for recycling, depending on what is practicable:
      • Metals
      • Plasterboard
      • Untreated wood
      • PVC pipping
      • E-waste (including batteries)
      • Other where available in locations

6. Events

1. Waste should be considered when organising conferences or onsite Events.
2. All Events and conferences must have facilities to effectively collect separated waste streams, supported by clear signage or communication to support their effective use.
3. Paperless or reduced paper is preferable.
4. Single-use items (including conference favours) are discouraged.
5. All Event holders will be provided with resources on how to effectively sort their waste in the Event location (ensuring Actionable Recycling).
6. All Events must have a waste reduction and management plan.

7. Food outlets

   1. Waste must be considered at all university food outlets in accordance with Section 2, which should include ordering supplies to eliminate over ordering, grouping batches to reduce packaging and transport, and focusing on purchasing refillable or recyclable options.
   2. All campus outlets must be single use cup free.
   3. All assets should be managed in accordance with the Assets Procedure and the Waste Hierarchy.
   4. Separated waste streams must include as a minimum landfill, glass, and mixed recycling.
   5. Food waste must be treated as per Section 2.
   6. Waste must be considered in the selection of all packaging, including eliminating all single use plastic items and substituting items which are Actionably Recyclable.
   7. All outlets must support “user brings” packaging options where health and safety allows.
   8. Premises leased by non-University occupants operating as food outlets and food trucks must follow these guidelines were practicable.

8. Procurement

   1. Waste should be considered during procurement processes to ensure both contractors and the University follow the Waste Hierarchy.
   2. Contractors ordering materials on behalf of the University should be asked to:
      1. Rethink the supplies that are needed to eliminate over ordering,
      2. group orders into batches to reduce packaging and transport associated with many small orders, and
      3. where practicable, select more refillable or recyclable options as first choice for purchasing.
   3. Custodial Services contractors should consider the Waste Hierarchy during the removal of waste from buildings. If excessive contamination occurs, building users must be notified.
   4. Contractors must abide by the University Guidelines for Waste Minimisation and Management when on site.

9. Emergency Waste Management Plan

   1. In the case of an emergency where Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) protocols are enacted, specific waste management processes and actions may be required which do not comply with these guidelines.
   2. In such situations, waste management resources should be directed to supporting the emergency relief effort and enabling a safe return to usual practice, while complying with health and safety requirements such as appropriate protective equipment.

Related policies, procedures and forms

• Fixed Asset Procedure
• Asbestos Management Policy
• Tī Kōuka 2030: The Sustainability Strategic Framework
• Blood and Bodily Fluid Exposure Policy
• HSNO-Exempt Laboratory Compliance Policy
• Health and Safety Policy

Contact for further information

If you have any queries regarding the content of these guidelines or need further clarification, contact the

Custodial Manager, Property Services
Email: cleaning@otago.ac.nz