Waste and Recycling frequently asked questions

Can we get better sorting at bins?

Campus bins already have signage that meets the WRAP best practice for waste streams and is also the standard adopted by most local authorities. However, we recognise that in some instances the signage is not clear enough. The waste and recycling team and internal comms are working up a plan for revamped signage to address this.

Why do we have compostable packaging and nowhere to collect and compost it?

Campus Operations introduced compostable packaging to address staff and student concerns around single use plastics from Campus catering outlets, and reduce the amount of single use plastic being used.

Compostable packaging on the scale produced at the university is difficult to compost at industrial facilities and therefore will require the sourcing of a specialist contractor but few of these are available as yet. We are therefore setting up a waste and recycling working group which will look at options for industrial composting of packaging, amongst other things.

Can we have food waste collections from staff and student kitchens / tea points?

Food waste is collection from student kitchens at halls of residence where the scale of food waste produced makes the collections worthwhile.

We are setting up a waste and recycling working group which will look at whether we can roll out food waste collections more widely.

What can I do to recycle more?

Estates Services offer a recycling and waste disposal services for most waste streams. Further information can be found on our waste disposal pages.