Waste management
We have introduced co-mingled recycling in autumn 2009. This means that most waste can be recycled, click here for a detailed list. Our recycling target for 2010 is 40 per cent. The current recycling rate is 18 per cent.
There are two phases: 1) placing recycling bins across the university 2) removing old desk bins to encourage recycling.
- Green co-mingled bins for cans, plastic bottles, cartons and glass
- Blue for paper and cardboard
- Grey for landfill waste (general waste that cannot be recycled, eg crisp bags, plastic cups etc)
It's all about quality
Did you know that quality in recycling is very important? If recycling bins get contaminated, waste will end up in the landfill instead of being used for reproduction. You can avoid contamination through the following steps:
- Remove lids and plastic caps; these are the type of plastic that cannot be recycled yet.
- Make sure drink cans and bottles are empty and there are no food leftovers (eg cheese in pizza boxes). Liquid and food will contaminate the bin.
- Choose the correct bin. Check the guidelines and symbols to know what goes where.
Yes - it can be recycled
- Newspapers, printing paper, magazines, junk mail, window envelopes, telephone directories
- Flattened cardboard
- Glass bottles and jars - no tops, all colours
- Plastic bottles - no lids
- Food tins - washed
- Aerosol cans - empty
No - it cannot be recycled
- Crisps and snack packets
- Plastic bags
- Broken glass, Pyrex glassware
- Light bulbs
- Vegetable plastic containers
- Yoghurt pots
Although recycling is an environmental imperative, it comes only after prevention, reduce and reuse in waste hierarchy. The University generates more than 5,000 tonnes of waste every year, this means we, all of us, contribute to that figure (data:2005/06, Carbon Trust report).
As a first step we should prevent from generating waste (also known as precycling). Could we consume less? For example, could you use your own mug for water instead of taking a disposable cup every time? Could you print less paper?
The next step in waste hierarchy is to minimise the amount of waste, followed by reuse. For example, you can reuse unwanted printing paper, envelopes, boxes etc.
Why recycle?
There are a number of reasons to recycle. Products made of recycled materials require significantly less energy than virgin materials, which means less CO2 emissions. They also require less natural resources. For example, recycling paper means that fewer trees need to be cut down.
Also, UK is running out of landfill space for rubbish. Experts suggests that landfill sites will be full by 2017. Biodegradable waste - such as cardboard - produces methane if it ends up in landfill, and methane is even stronger greenhouse gas causing global warming than CO2.
A study by London Assembly (Oct, 2009) states that Londoners produce 22 million tonnes per year, which is simply unsustainable, both environmentally and economically. According to the report, this amount of rubbish could fill a large Canary Wharf skyscraper every eight days.
Feedback
We encourage you to send us feedback on recycle@westminster.ac.uk Let us know if you have any comments on bin locations, you need more bins or you need further advice on recycling.
