Murdoch University

Draft Resource Recovery Policy

Policy Statement

Murdoch University will seek to reduce its per capita solid waste stream and comply with government policy to eliminate waste to land fill by 2020. The University will co-operate with community, business and industry partners to achieve its policy objectives and those of alliance organisations.

Policy Objectives

• To comply with State Government waste policy objectives (Waste 2020).
• To encourage materials conservation and resource recovery at Murdoch University campuses and within the wider community.
• To utilise the skills and expertise from on campus in developing innovative, sustainable solutions to waste management, re-use and resource recovery.

Policy Principles

Murdoch University supports the following resource recovery strategies within the management of its operations, facilities and through contracts and partnership co-operatives;

• Regular audits of Murdoch University’s waste stream considering the amount of waste, sources of waste, current treatment and emerging opportunities.
• The efficient use and re-use of all materials, wherever possible, in an effort to reduce consumption and the generation of waste.
• A reduction in packaging for goods purchased by Murdoch University.
• Product/component substitution where materials and wastes have toxic qualities and/or persist in the environment. Eg. Bio-engineered products
• The recycling of waste material into new products eg. Compost
• Support for R&D initiatives for recycled resources.
• A designated resource recovery area located at Murdoch Campuses.
• The development of strategic co-operative partnerships with surrounding or complimentary business/land owners in the treatment/management of recoverable resources.

Policy Implementation

This policy will be implemented through a resource recovery plan, daily operations and contractor arrangements.

Monitoring and Auditing

Regular audits of Murdoch University’s waste stream will consider the total amount of waste generated, the composition of the waste stream, sources of waste, current treatment and emerging opportunities.

Performance indicators:

The percentage of non-organic materials diverted from land fill.
Total annual waste volume (Tonnes)
Annual waste volume per/Equivalent Full Time Student Unit (EFTSU GJm-2)

Authorised By:

Signed by VC on behalf of the senate.

Responsibilities

It remains the responsibility of the Office of Facilities Management to implement the principles of this policy with guidance from the Environmental Committee.

Related Policies and Procedures

Draft Energy Conservation and Source Policy
Australian Greenhouse Office - Greenhouse Challenge Program
Environmental Catering Procedures
Murdoch University Cleaning Contract
Murdoch University Waste Management Contract