Sustainability and Waste Management

Overview

Framework:
Access to HE 2024
Level:
Level 3
Unit No:
Not available
Credits:
3
Guided learning hours:
Not available

Qualification Grading Type

Graded

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.

Understand the concept of sustainability.

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1.

    Explain the term sustainability and why it is important.

    • Sustainability: definition; sustainable practice and reasons for implementing the practice and what can be done to improve; examples of sustainable practices including waste reduction practices; Recycling of solid waste (including paper, plastic, metal, etc.); Source reduction of toxic materials and radioactive waste; CO2 and air pollution reduction practices (including alternative fuel use, renewable energy; sources, emission control devices, etc.); Indoor air quality standards and practices; Energy conservation practices (in offices, laboratories, libraries, classrooms); Organic food purchasing programme.
    • Principles of sustainability: principles of sustainability in a given situation such as chemical industry, industrial, agriculture, environmental, local authority, manufacturers.; industry Energy efficiency; global sustainability issues and challenges; and the extent to which sustainable developments are used in the community.
  • 1.2.

    Explain the key principle of sustainability for a given situation.

    • Sustainability: definition; sustainable practice and reasons for implementing the practice and what can be done to improve; examples of sustainable practices including waste reduction practices; Recycling of solid waste (including paper, plastic, metal, etc.); Source reduction of toxic materials and radioactive waste; CO2 and air pollution reduction practices (including alternative fuel use, renewable energy; sources, emission control devices, etc.); Indoor air quality standards and practices; Energy conservation practices (in offices, laboratories, libraries, classrooms); Organic food purchasing programme.
    • Principles of sustainability: principles of sustainability in a given situation such as chemical industry, industrial, agriculture, environmental, local authority, manufacturers.; industry Energy efficiency; global sustainability issues and challenges; and the extent to which sustainable developments are used in the community.

    E.g., chemical, industrial, agriculture, local authority.

2.

Understand the sources of waste production.

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1.

    Discuss sources of waste including their appropriate classification using relevant terminology


    • Classification of waste: definition; sources of organic and inorganic wastes; European waste codes; commonly used terms e.g., controlled, hazardous, organic, inorganic, dirty water, grey water.
    • Characteristics of waste: different types e.g., domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural; statistics for waste production; potential problems e.g., eutrophication, biological oxygen demand (BOD), methane production, odour, fly-tipping, land contamination, hazardous waste; classification of material for recycling e.g., types of metal, types of plastic; recycling code.
  • 2.2.

    Explain the sources of different waste streams for a given situation within a specified timescale.


    • Classification of waste: definition; sources of organic and inorganic wastes; European waste codes; commonly used terms e.g., controlled, hazardous, organic, inorganic, dirty water, grey water.
    • Characteristics of waste: different types e.g., domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural; statistics for waste production; potential problems e.g., eutrophication, biological oxygen demand (BOD), methane production, odour, fly-tipping, land contamination, hazardous waste; classification of material for recycling e.g., types of metal, types of plastic; recycling code.
3.

Understand the scope of waste management legislation and regulation.

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1.

    Outline, using relevant terminology, current waste management legislation and codes of practice.


    • Major waste legislation & codes of practice: main legislation and appropriate date of enactment and other relevant updated and amended legislation where applicable. Current relevant UK legislation e.g., the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2010, the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992, Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990, European Waste Directives e.g., the Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2006/12/EC); Kyoto Protocol, 1997; Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Groundwater Regulations, Control of Pollution Act 1974, air quality; Codes of Practice etc.
    • Roles of organisations: The link between legislation and waste management practice; public sector organisations e.g., the Environment Agency, local authorities; private sector e.g., recycling companies, charity shops, and collections; landfill; education and training e.g., Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM); use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • 3.2.

    Explain how waste management practices are influenced by legislation for a given situation.


    • Major waste legislation & codes of practice: main legislation and appropriate date of enactment and other relevant updated and amended legislation where applicable. Current relevant UK legislation e.g., the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2010, the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992, Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990, European Waste Directives e.g., the Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2006/12/EC); Kyoto Protocol, 1997; Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Groundwater Regulations, Control of Pollution Act 1974, air quality; Codes of Practice etc.
    • Roles of organisations: The link between legislation and waste management practice; public sector organisations e.g., the Environment Agency, local authorities; private sector e.g., recycling companies, charity shops, and collections; landfill; education and training e.g., Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM); use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
4.

Be able to safely manage waste sustainably.

Assessment Criteria

  • 4.1.

    Use the framework of the waste management hierarchy to explain how waste reductions can be achieved.

    • Waste management plan: audit of waste produced; disposal requirements e.g., recycling opportunities, legislation requirements, permits, and exemptions.
    • Waste hierarchy: reasons for managing waste; reduce; reuse; recycle.
    • Manage waste: point of production; opportunities to reduce waste e.g., procurement; collection; storage; transportation; machinery e.g., compactors, material handlers; contamination of waste; resource efficiency; waste awareness and reduction campaigns.
  • 4.2.

    Justify the integrated sustainable waste management plan from a waste management audit for a given situation, within a specified timescale.

    • Waste management plan: audit of waste produced; disposal requirements e.g., recycling opportunities, legislation requirements, permits, and exemptions.
    • Waste hierarchy: reasons for managing waste; reduce; reuse; recycle.
    • Manage waste: point of production; opportunities to reduce waste e.g., procurement; collection; storage; transportation; machinery e.g., compactors, material handlers; contamination of waste; resource efficiency; waste awareness and reduction campaigns.