DCW125-Recycling Policy

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

Recycling Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that our domiciliary care service operates in an environmentally responsible manner by implementing effective recycling and waste management practices. Our organisation recognises its duty to minimise waste, promote recycling, and reduce our carbon footprint, in line with the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, and Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) expectations regarding sustainable business practices.

We are committed to reducing landfill waste, encouraging staff and service users to adopt sustainable habits, and ensuring compliance with local authority recycling schemes. This policy provides clear guidance on how to recycle efficiently, how to manage different types of waste responsibly, and how staff should support service users in maintaining environmentally friendly households.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

All employees, volunteers, and contractors who work within our home care service.
Service users and their families who require support with recycling and waste management.
Third-party suppliers and waste disposal services working in partnership with our organisation.

It covers:

Recycling of general household waste, plastic, paper, glass, and metal.
Safe disposal of confidential waste, including personal documents and records.
Appropriate disposal of clinical and hazardous waste (e.g., medical waste, sharps).
Energy and resource conservation efforts to reduce environmental impact.
Training and responsibilities of staff in maintaining sustainable practices.

3. Managing Recycling and Waste Disposal Efficiently

3.1 General Waste Recycling Procedures

All staff and service users are encouraged to follow best practices for sorting and recycling waste. This includes:

Separating paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and metal into appropriate recycling bins, following local authority guidelines.
Using clearly labelled bins in office spaces and service users’ homes to avoid contamination.
Ensuring that recyclable materials are clean and free from food waste before disposal.
Encouraging service users to participate in local council recycling schemes where available.

Staff must familiarise themselves with local recycling collection schedules and help service users comply with their area’s waste disposal regulations. If a service user is unable to manage their waste independently, care staff will support them in sorting and placing their recycling out for collection on the correct day.

3.2 Confidential Waste Disposal

As a domiciliary care provider handling sensitive information, we are committed to ensuring the secure disposal of confidential waste. Staff must:

Shred any documents containing personal, financial, or medical information before recycling.
Store confidential waste in designated locked containers until it is collected by an approved disposal service.
Never dispose of service user records, care plans, or financial documents in general waste.
Follow GDPR and CIW data protection guidelines to ensure compliance.

For service users requiring assistance in managing their personal documents, staff will provide guidance on secure storage and disposal while maintaining their right to privacy.

3.3 Clinical and Hazardous Waste Management

Some service users may generate clinical waste, including:

Used incontinence pads, bandages, or dressings.
Sharps such as insulin needles or lancets.
Medication waste, including expired or unused tablets.

To ensure safe disposal:

Sharps must be placed in yellow sharps bins provided by the local health authority and returned for safe disposal.
Clinical waste bags must be used for contaminated items and disposed of according to local authority regulations.
Unused or expired medication must not be placed in general waste but returned to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

Staff must never mix clinical waste with regular household waste and must report any mismanagement of hazardous waste to the Registered Manager ({{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}) immediately.

3.4 Reducing Single-Use Plastic and Promoting Reusable Alternatives

Our organisation is committed to reducing plastic waste in daily operations. To achieve this, we encourage:

Using reusable cups, water bottles, and bags instead of single-use plastics.
Avoiding excessive packaging when purchasing supplies.
Switching to biodegradable or compostable alternatives where possible.
Educating service users on reducing plastic dependency in their homes.

Wherever possible, staff should support service users in choosing eco-friendly options, such as reusable shopping bags and refillable household products.

3.5 Energy and Resource Conservation

In addition to recycling, we promote energy efficiency and resource conservation within our domiciliary care service by:

Encouraging staff to turn off lights, computers, and appliances when not in use.
Using energy-efficient LED lighting in office spaces and service user homes.
Minimising water wastage by ensuring taps are fully turned off after use.
Encouraging digital record-keeping to reduce paper waste.

All staff members are expected to lead by example, incorporating sustainability into their daily work practices while encouraging service users to adopt environmentally friendly habits.

4. Staff Responsibilities and Training

All staff members must:

Attend training on recycling procedures, waste management, and environmental sustainability as part of their induction.
Support service users in managing their household waste in a way that promotes independence while maintaining environmental responsibility.
Report any hazards, non-compliance, or concerns related to waste disposal to the Registered Manager.
Ensure that the workplace and service users’ homes remain clean, safe, and environmentally responsible.

Managers will conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with recycling and waste management standards and to identify areas for improvement.

5. Monitoring and Compliance

To ensure adherence to this policy, we will:

Conduct annual reviews of waste disposal practices.
Work closely with local authorities and waste management services to stay updated on regulations.
Provide ongoing training and updates to staff as necessary.
Implement a staff feedback system to address challenges in waste management and explore improvements.

Any staff member found to be intentionally disregarding recycling protocols may be subject to disciplinary action, in accordance with the Disciplinary and Grievance Policy (DCW31).

6. Related Policies

This policy should be read alongside:

Health and Safety at Work Policy (DCW16)
Infection Prevention and Control Policy (DCW17)
Confidentiality and Data Protection (GDPR) Policy (DCW34)
Handling and Disposal of Hazardous Substances Policy (DCW22)
Risk Management and Assessment Policy (DCW18)

7. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or earlier if required due to changes in legislation, environmental regulations, or organisational needs. The Registered Manager is responsible for ensuring this policy is effectively implemented.

Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.