Present: Trevor Shields, Donna Willmetts, Dave O Driscoll, Edd Bauer, Tom Guise and Peter Larkin
Apologies: Niki Constantinou
No. Item. Action
1. Terms of Reference
To be responsible for the development and implementation of strategies to promote and communicate initiatives across both campuses to University staff and students
2.
Matters Arising/Update on Current Initiatives
(i) Binless Office Sceme
The scheme had started well in the Muirhead Tower and Main Library receiving overall positive feedback. A few concerns had been raised over changes in working practices. TCS had offered to discuss the scheme with UCU members but had so far received no enquiries. A similar scheme had been highlighted by the TUC as good practice.
Discussions were ongoing to extend the scheme to Geography, Finance, HR, Munrow, Arts and Staff House. It was also hoped to recruit the VC’s office.
The TUC document ‘gogreenatwork’ to be circulated to the group.
(ii) Rocket Composter
Logistical problems had been encountered at its current location at the Business School.
The Conference Park to be investigated as a potential location.
(iii) Grounds and Gardens
Leaves are now been collected by Birmingham based Biofuels International Limited to produce leaf logs. Around 70-90 tonnes of wet leaves were collected last year.
10 recycling bins for paper/cardboard/glass cans had been placed on the Vale for collection by the City Council, along with one by the terrace huts on campus.
The council to be contacted for information on the number of bags collected.
(iv) Guild Initiatives
The possibility of the Guild joining the University waste and recycling contracts was discussed.
The proposal to be put to the Guild Trustees again.
(v) Batteries
A trial was ongoing in ‘Living’ in the University Centre as part of the ‘batteryback’ scheme.
The City Council to be contacted about implementing the scheme at the Vale.
The possibility of Shackleton and Jarratt to be pursued.
3. Waste and Recycling Figures
The general waste contract was now due for retender. Landfill figures are decreasing year on year. The trend of increasing paper recycling figures suggested that there could be an increasing amount of paper being purchased.
Procurement to be contacted regarding data on paper purchasing.
TCS
5. Awareness and website
The environment website to be updated with recycling figures.
The Guild and environment websites to be cross linked.
The potential of staff student forums to be investigated.
TCS
TCS, TG, EB
TCS, EB
6.
AOB Targets
The group to discuss ideas for potential targets.
7.
Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 20th January 2009 @ 11.00 am, S252 Health & safety Unit
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Thanks for posting these minutes up, Ed. I notice the part about the binless office policy.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I am aware, concerns were raised about the policy - which means you have to pick out your dirty rubbish and separate it into different bins at the end of each day. A large number of people within the College are unhappy about the way that it has been introduced. A UCU rep requested several times for the College to consult with UCU in the first instance. After about 3 weeks he was informed that the binless office scheme was introduced on a six-month trial basis and would be reconsidered at the end of that period.
It is true that the TUC suggests things like the binless office, although it also recognizes that such schemes need to be introduced sensitively and with consultation in order to avoid antagonising and overloading staff.
Also note that the UCU ran a campaign against a similar initiative when it was introduced in Sheffield.
As far as I am aware there is a sizeable group of people within Muirhead Tower who do not think it is a good idea, who dislike having to separate out dirty rubbish, who feel it is an ineffective use of academic's time, who are concerned that un-emptied bins pose a potential health and safety issue, and who are concerned about the impact on cleaning staff's jobs.
Most staff seem to be agreed that the best way to do this would be to have two bins in each office - one for recyclables and one for general waste. These should be emptied by the cleaners. This would most likely appease all the concerns raised by Muirhead staff on this issue.
This is the UCU press release on what happened in Sheffield:
http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=4172 – press release
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