Interesting facts about recycling at UAL

From our napkins to our counters, we recycle and up-cycle wherever we can in our catering outlets. 

1. We up-cycle our Lemon-aid+ and ChariTea soft drinks into condiment bottles

That's right! Our teams re-use the bottles of our soft drinks for condiments like salt, pepper and dressing oil. You can even take them home and up-cycle them yourself. Whether you want to use them for washing up liquid, shampoo bottles or even paint, they come in so handy. 



Can you spot them around the canteens? 

2. We have waved goodbye to plastic cutlery! 

When you choose to eat in at our canteens, we provide china mugs, plates and metal cutlery so nothing goes to waste. Although we do encourage everyone to dine in to use these eco-friendly alternatives, our takeaway cutlery is made from sustainable forest wood. 

You can even get rewarded with a free coffee or meal when you use sustainable alternatives to eat or drink in. All you have to do is pick up one of our loyalty cards at our canteens or cafes. 

3. Our napkins, straws and takeaway boxes are all sustainably sourced

Everything that you could need to eat in our canteens and cafes are all sustainable, whether you want to dine in or take out.

• Our napkins are compostable and made of 100% recycled fibres.
• Our paper straws are made from sustainably sourced paper and use natural inks and glues too. Our straws are only made from rice, tapioca and naturally derived food colourings. They breakdown fully in 3 weeks under any conditions.
• Our bio takeaway boxes are made from 100% recycled materials and are also biodegradable, recyclable and compostable.

4. Parts of our counters are made from recycled and up-cycled materials

How cool! Parts of the counters at Central Saint Martins, London College of Communication and Wilson Road are up-cycled with cladding made from waste yoghurt pots by Smile Plastics*. Other counters at our cafes and canteens are made from reclaimed wood and FSC wood - an international non-profit organisation promoting responsible forestry. 

*Their mission is to change people's perceptions around waste by using art and technology to show the hidden potential in recycling. They have definitely shown that waste can be unexpectedly beautiful. Try and spot them next time you visit. 

Find out more in our sustainability booklet. 

Contact: 

Follow us @ualcatering for more updates.