Contents
For further information about current and recent practices on materials management, see the Trent Sustainability web site.
For older & historical information on materials management previously worked on by the EAB, see the Materials Management Archives section.
Introduction
"Materials" here refers to any equipment, supplies, machinery, liquids, solids, etc.
The management of materials includes several different steps (you can see the four R's distributed throughout these points):
- REDUCE: reduction of materials purchase and use
- RE-BUY: choice of more environmentally-friendly materials where possible
- REUSE: re-use of materials (equipment, supplies)
- RECYCLE: recycling of materials that can no longer be used, and are recyclable
- composting of materials that can be composted
- proper disposal of materials that are hazardous
- proper disposal of other materials
The primary goal: reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
Below: a collection of electronic waste diverted from landfill.
Choosing and Using Materials
The initial phase in management of materials is in the choosing of materials (e.g., a printer, containers for storage, a chemical used in a specific process, paper, etc.). This is covered in the first two steps. Then, steps can be taken to ensure materials are not disposed of before they are actually unusable, and instead are re-used (step three).
Reduction of Materials Purchase and Use
If less 'stuff' is purchased in the first place, less will be available to go to landfill. While Trent does have an Environmental Procurement Policy, it does not cover this aspect of purchasing. Here are some aspects that could be considered:
- Does the material or equipment have to be purchased?
Some alternatives include renting or leasing (if it is for a one-time or limited-time use), borrowing or sharing someone else's, finding an alternative way to accomplish the task. These alternatives often also save money over purchasing.
- example: used scrap paper for everything but official final drafts, saving having to buy extra paper
- Can the material or equipment be shared?
For example, could several work groups share one higher-capacity printer or scanner via Trent's computer network, instead of each buying their own?
- Can equipment be purchased that reduces the use of consumable materials?
For instance, could a printer that prints on both sides of the paper be purchased instead of one that prints on only one side?
- Can used equipment and materials be purchased instead of new?
This will save money and still accomplish the task.
For information about Trent's current waste management (recycling, composting, hazardous and other waste disposal), see the Trent Sustainability web site.
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