Introduction

The management of waste presents difficult problems for the environment. In this unit you will learn about the environmental issues relating to waste disposal, the different methods of disposal and how to reduce waste from your organisation by re-using and recycling.

WHAT YOU MUST LEARN

Different types of waste

Know what waste means i.e. a definition of waste.

Understand the national statistics on waste.

Know what is classed as hazardous waste.

Understand the sources of waste in own organisation e.g. packaging, off-cuts, waste food etc.

Waste Disposal

Know where waste is disposed e.g. landfill sites, waste incineration, sewers.

Understand the problems caused by different methods of waste disposal e.g. running out of landfill sites.

Understand the environmental impacts of waste such as land contamination and water pollution

Know the legislation on waste (Landfill directive, Landfill tax, pollution laws .

Reducing the environmental impact

Understand how the environmental impact of waste can be reduced and know the reductions that can be made in your own department/organisation.

Know the different methods of reduction e.g. reduce at source, re-use items, recycling, compost; taking control of waste.

Know how to introduce new waste reduction ideas in the workplace and gain staff support.

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