Operations

Protecting water quality

Queen Mary has formal Waste Water and Trade Effluent guidance covering domestic wastewater, surface-water runoff, laboratory wastewater and trade effluent. 

Hazardous and prescribed substances must not be disposed of through sinks, drains or sewers, helping prevent potentially harmful materials from entering downstream waterways. 

The guidance is particularly important for laboratories and research environments where chemicals and specialist materials need to be managed carefully to protect water quality, aquatic ecosystems, wildlife and human health. 

Managing hazardous materials safely 

Queen Mary has procedures for managing hazardous and specialist waste generated through laboratories, clinical activity and other University operations. 

Hazardous materials are separated from general waste and managed through approved disposal routes rather than being discharged through sinks, drains or the sewer system. 

Alongside Queen Mary’s wastewater and trade-effluent controls, this helps reduce the risk of chemicals and other potentially harmful substances entering freshwater systems and the wider aquatic environment. 

This is particularly important across laboratory and research activities where chemicals and specialist materials need careful handling from use through to final disposal.