# Waste Management Policy

**Company:** *Graphic Warehouse (a division of Matic Media Services Ltd.)*  
**Last Updated:** *November 2023* **Last Review:** April 2025 **Approved by:** Managing Director

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### **1. Purpose**

This policy defines how Graphic Warehouse manages waste responsibly, minimising environmental impact and ensuring full legal compliance under the **Environmental Protection Act 1990**, the **Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012**, and other relevant UK legislation.

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### **2. Scope**

Applies to all waste generated from our print, finishing, packaging, and administrative operations across all Graphic Warehouse premises, including off-site installations and deliveries.

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### **3. Objectives**

- Prevent and minimise waste at source through efficient production planning and material optimisation.
- Maximise reuse and recycling wherever practical.
- Ensure safe, lawful storage, segregation, transport, and disposal of all waste streams.
- Maintain full traceability via DOW waste transfer documentation and annual review.
- Continually improve waste-handling practices through staff training and supplier collaboration.

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### **4. Waste Carrier and Disposal Partners**

- **Licensed Waste Contractor:** *DOW Group Ltd (SEPA-registered waste carrier)*
- **Registration Number:** SCO/334479
- DOW provides segregated collection for recyclables, general waste, and hazardous waste (including ink cartridges, contaminated rags, and solvent containers).
- Copies of all **Waste Transfer Notes** and **Consignment Notes** are retained for a minimum of **three years** in line with statutory requirements.

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### **5. Waste Streams and Handling Procedures**

<div class="_tableContainer_1rjym_1" id="bkmrk-waste-type-typical-s"><div class="group _tableWrapper_1rjym_13 flex w-fit flex-col-reverse" tabindex="-1"><table class="w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)" data-end="3396" data-start="2209"><thead data-end="2282" data-start="2209"><tr data-end="2282" data-start="2209"><th data-col-size="md" data-end="2222" data-start="2209">Waste Type</th><th data-col-size="sm" data-end="2239" data-start="2222">Typical Source</th><th data-col-size="md" data-end="2264" data-start="2239">Handling / Segregation</th><th data-col-size="md" data-end="2282" data-start="2264">Disposal Route</th></tr></thead><tbody data-end="3396" data-start="2358"><tr data-end="2523" data-start="2358"><td data-col-size="md" data-end="2409" data-start="2358">**PVC / Foamex / ACM / Correx / Display Boards**</td><td data-col-size="sm" data-end="2432" data-start="2409">Printing &amp; finishing</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="2470" data-start="2432">Stacked by material type on pallets</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="2523" data-start="2470">Collected by DOW for recycling or energy recovery</td></tr><tr data-end="2656" data-start="2524"><td data-col-size="md" data-end="2555" data-start="2524">**Paper / Card / Packaging**</td><td data-col-size="sm" data-end="2577" data-start="2555">Office &amp; print room</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="2611" data-start="2577">Stored in marked recycling bins</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="2656" data-start="2611">Recycled via DOW’s paper/cardboard stream</td></tr><tr data-end="2824" data-start="2657"><td data-col-size="md" data-end="2683" data-start="2657">**Ink &amp; Solvent Waste**</td><td data-col-size="sm" data-end="2714" data-start="2683">Printers, cleaning processes</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="2769" data-start="2714">Stored in sealed, labelled containers in bunded area</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="2824" data-start="2769">Collected as hazardous waste under consignment note</td></tr><tr data-end="2953" data-start="2825"><td data-col-size="md" data-end="2862" data-start="2825">**Aerosols / Chemical Containers**</td><td data-col-size="sm" data-end="2887" data-start="2862">Maintenance &amp; cleaning</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="2915" data-start="2887">Fully emptied, segregated</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="2953" data-start="2915">Hazardous waste collection via DOW</td></tr><tr data-end="3041" data-start="2954"><td data-col-size="md" data-end="2973" data-start="2954">**Metal &amp; Wood**</td><td data-col-size="sm" data-end="2993" data-start="2973">Pallets, fixtures</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="3019" data-start="2993">Segregated for recovery</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="3041" data-start="3019">Recycled or reused</td></tr><tr data-end="3152" data-start="3042"><td data-col-size="md" data-end="3062" data-start="3042">**General Waste**</td><td data-col-size="sm" data-end="3086" data-start="3062">Mixed non-recyclables</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="3113" data-start="3086">Collected in marked bins</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="3152" data-start="3113">Landfill or energy recovery via DOW</td></tr><tr data-end="3276" data-start="3153"><td data-col-size="md" data-end="3183" data-start="3153">**Electrical Waste (WEEE)**</td><td data-col-size="sm" data-end="3209" data-start="3183">IT, lighting, machinery</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="3235" data-start="3209">Stored securely, tagged</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="3276" data-start="3235">Processed via certified WEEE recycler</td></tr><tr data-end="3396" data-start="3277"><td data-col-size="md" data-end="3302" data-start="3277">**Confidential Waste**</td><td data-col-size="sm" data-end="3318" data-start="3302">Admin/finance</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="3336" data-start="3318">Locked consoles</td><td data-col-size="md" data-end="3396" data-start="3336">Shredded and recycled under data-destruction certificate</td></tr></tbody></table>

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### **6. Storage and Labelling**

- All waste containers are clearly labelled and colour-coded.
- Hazardous waste is stored in a dedicated bunded area, away from drains and ignition sources.
- Waste is never mixed; cross-contamination of recyclables is prohibited.
- Spill kits are provided near all storage zones and operators are trained in emergency handling.

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### **7. Training and Awareness**

- All staff receive induction and annual refresher training on waste segregation and environmental responsibilities.
- Supervisors monitor compliance and report issues to the Operations Manager.
- Non-conformances (e.g., contamination or unsafe storage) are logged and corrective actions tracked.

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### **8. Record-Keeping and Compliance**

- Maintain Waste Transfer Notes, Hazardous Consignment Notes, and annual Waste Summary Reports.
- Conduct annual reviews with DOW to assess recycling rates and identify improvement opportunities.
- Environmental performance (recycling %, waste volume per m² of output) is reviewed quarterly in management meetings.

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### **9. Continuous Improvement**

- Introduce return-to-supplier or reuse schemes for off-cuts and packaging where feasible.
- Investigate lower-impact materials (recyclable PVC alternatives, water-based inks, etc.).
- Benchmark annual waste-to-production ratios and set measurable reduction targets.
- Communicate environmental performance internally and to clients upon request.

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### **10. Responsibility**

- **Operations Manager:** day-to-day waste management and contractor liaison.
- **Health &amp; Safety Officer:** monitoring compliance and maintaining documentation.
- **Managing Director:** annual policy review and performance reporting.

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### **11. Policy Review**

This policy is reviewed **annually** or sooner if operations, regulations, or waste-contractor arrangements change. The latest version is published on the internal management system and available to all staff and clients upon request.

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### **Statement of Commitment**

Graphic Warehouse is committed to responsible waste management and environmental stewardship. Through collaboration with DOW and continuous internal improvement, we aim to reduce waste generation year-on-year and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable print industry.