Human Resources > Environmental Management Policy & Procedure
Authorised by Chief Executive Officer
Issue Date: 04 October 2019
Policy
In line with community expectations and relevant legislation, Kyeema Support Services recognises its responsibility to make efficient use of all resources. Kyeema is committed to practices that address environmental sustainability in its daily operations, its capital works, and within its core responsibility as a support service.
Scope
This policy applies to all Kyeema employees, clients, volunteers, operations and procedures.
Practices should:
- maximise efficient use of all resources, with particular emphasis on electricity, water and consumables,
- adopt best practice energy management, providing energy efficient services and facilities to reduce waste generation and
- work towards minimal waste to landfill by reducing waste and recycling where possible
Procedures
Some of the ways Kyeema aims to be environmentally responsible are:
Energy Efficient Buildings
- Design new buildings for a high star rating of energy efficiency
- manage existing buildings to provide a healthy working environment based on sustainable energy efficient principles, natural light and good ventilation
- utilise photovoltaic solar energy on buildings owned by Kyeema to minimise our carbon footprint
- purchase energy efficient white goods as they are replaced
- Heating. Split Systems, as a general rule, heating not to be set above 22° and for cooling not to be set below 20°. In the buildings where solar electricity is being generated gas heaters will be replaced with electric heaters as they wear out.
- Clothes dryers to be used minimally and outdoor clotheslines are used.
Food and Gardens
- Day Activities gardening program provides vegetables for our cooking programs and the respite house vegetable garden provides both education and vegetables for participants
- use food scrap bins, providing food for poultry belonging to staff at the Lalor St offices
- recycle food scraps to a worm farm at Seawinds Nursery and use the worm castings and worm juice for fertiliser
Recycling
- use recycle bins for glass, plastics and metals.
- shred our waste paper and recycle it through people’s gardens and poultry yards
- recycle clothing and other goods through workplace swaps and our annual Spring Sale bric-a-brac.
- avoid single-use plastic or polystyrene receptacles at our events
- propagate trees, shrubs and grasses for sale to the public via Kyeema’s Seawinds Nursery and Kyeema’s annual Spring Sale.
- Kyeema’s Windward Industries’ contracts with Portland Aluminium include recycling tasks for the smelter’s waste-reduction program.
Cleaning products
- Kyeema opts to use environmentally friendly cleaning products where possible.
Garden chemicals
- Kyeema’s nursery sells organic fertilisers
- Kyeema’s gardening business is in the process of transitioning from glyphosate to a weed-killer made from naturally occurring acids.
Waste Management as part of environment protection and infection control
- Effective waste disposal is an important aspect of infection control.
Human blood and body substances management – Refer to the Infection Control Procedures. Human body substances must always be treated as potentially infectious and infection control procedures adhered to. This includes use of personal protective equipment (gloves in particular) and double-bagging of paper and wipes used to clean body substances prior to putting into general waste.
Clinical waste disposal – Seek professional advice and training for staff where clinical waste disposal is required (e.g. sharps disposal bins, biohazard bags)
Pharmaceutical waste disposal - When uncertain about how to dispose of leftover pharmaceuticals / medications they should be returned to pharmacy for correct disposal.
Disinfectant disposal - Most disinfectants can be disposed of through the sewer system by running cold water into the sink before pouring the disinfectant into the sink. Leaving the cold water running for a few moments after the disinfectant has been disposed of dilutes the disinfectant
Consider protective clothing and equipment when handling waste or hazardous materials.
All waste should be stored in secure areas until collected.
See Also:
Management of Waste Policy & Procedure