Natural resources
Minimising the impact of the college’s waste strategy on natural resources.
Waste has two main impacts on sustainability. On the one hand, the amount of waste we produce is a consequence of how efficiently we use resources to produce goods, and on the quantity of goods we produce and consume. And on the other, once waste has been produced, dealing with it has an impact on the environment, which we should seek to minimize.
Refurbishment
In order to extend the life of products, materials and buildings, refurbishment can be carried out; this is likely to be less labour intensive than producing a new product; where possible refurbishment should be maximised.
Questions to consider
- Is refurbishment possible to extend use?
- What refurbishment has taken place?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
VISION
Waste Minimisation
The simplest and most cost effective way of dealing with waste is to ensure that it does not arise, for example designing out waste, re-use of materials, design for re-use.
Questions to consider
- Is waste minimisation a design wide objective?
- What savings could be made by waste minimisation?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION
Re-use
This is re-using materials and products where possible, rather than using a new/ virgin material or product each time. This can be encouraged by extending the design life of products and materials and maximising the value extracted from them; for example reusing bricks, aggregates and packaging.
Questions to consider
- Are materials and products reused?
- Could materials or products be reused in future?
- Is this a completely new building? If not are you making use of the existing façade or structure?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION
Recycling
Recycling involves putting a material through some kind of process so it can be used again. In certain situations this can be an intensive process and so the benefits are lost. However recycling can, reduce demand for raw materials, reduce emissions to air and water in the production process, and reduce disposal impacts through less waste going to landfill.
Questions to consider
- What materials are recycled?
- What proportion of materials used is recycled?
- What provision is there for waste storage, waste segregation and recycling facilities? Is it in easy reach of all building areas?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION
Minimise amount of hazardous/special waste generated
Hazardous and special waste can pose a risk to both human health and thee environment if it is not correctly managed.
Questions to consider
- Is hazardous/special waste produced?
- Are there steps in place to try to reduce the level of hazardous waste?
- Are these sustainable?
- Is this being monitored and reported?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION
End-of-life
This addresses what happens to a product, building or material at the end of its life. A failure to deal with the end of life products in an environmentally sound way can pose threats to both the environment and human health
Questions to consider
- Is waste produced dealt with in an environmentally sound way?
- Is there a better way to deal with waste that is more environmentally sound?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN, OPERATION
Landfill
The option of dealing with waste by sending it to landfill should be the last resort.
The UK Landfill tax was introduced in October 1996 as a tax with an explicit environmental objective, and has had a notable impact on waste management practices.
Questions to consider
- How much potentially recyclable/reusable waste is sent to landfill?
- Are there aims to decrease landfilled waste?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION
Where disposal is unavoidable choose BPEO
The aim of Best Practice Environmental Option (BPEO) is to ensure that where the only option is for disposal; that it is carried out in an environmentally responsible manner. In the UK there is legislation which describes BPEO for many products.
Questions to consider
- Is BPEO currently used?
- How is it applicable?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
CONSTRUCTION
