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 Incorrect disposal of waste Environmental Awareness

General Environmental Information The University’s Interaction with the Environment Generation of Pollutants & Wastes   Solid Waste Liquid Waste Gaseous Emissions Scrap steel Waste Lab Chemicals Smoke Packaging waste Waste solvents Particulate Waste paper Waste Oils/ lubricants Greenhouse Gases General Refuse Diluted Chemical fumes Environmental Awareness

General Environmental Information The University’s Interaction with the Environment Depletion of Natural resources   As part of its everyday activities, the University uses; Electricity Water Gas Raw Materials Environmental Awareness

Benefits of an Environmental Management System (EMS) 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; Air emissions Aqueous Discharge Hazardous Waste Non-hazardous waste Energy Consumption Environmental Awareness

Environmental Awareness Air Emissions Environmental Awareness

Environmental Awareness Waste Recycling Office paper Fluorescent tubes Cardboard Environmental Awareness

Environmental Awareness General Waste Environmental Awareness

Environmental Awareness Waste Chemicals Environmental Awareness

Environmental Awareness Environmental Policy The five core elements of the policy are   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: 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

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

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.  Ensure waste paper is disposed of in the recycling towers Environmental Awareness

Energy Awareness Last year, the University spent £3 M on Energy (Electricity, Gas & Water) 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 The University spends thousands every year on SWITCH OFF The University spends thousands every year on equipment left on when NOT in use Please remember to switch off lights and equipment before going home. Environmental Awareness

Energy Awareness Report That Leak ! Compressed air costs ten times more than electricity per unit! Report That Leak ! Environmental Awareness

Environmental Awareness Energy Awareness Environmental Awareness