The right way to recycle

In our canteens, we make it as easy as possible to know exactly what waste to put in where ♻️

It is more important than ever to recycle. Recycling not only reduces the need for landfill but also the need for extracting, refining and processing raw materials - all of which create a lot of air and water pollution. 

In the UK, recycling saves about 10-15 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year...

So to help save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help tackle climate change, here's everything you need to know about how to recycle, in our canteens and halls. 

In our canteens, our bins are separated into three categories:

1. Non-recycling (where the waste goes to the energy incinerator) 

Labelled as 'coffee cups and everything else', you might be wondering what exactly everything else means...

✅ Crisp packets
✅ Plastic cutlery
✅ Polystyrene
✅ Serviettes
✅ Dirty food items
✅ Bubble wrap
✅ Tea bags
✅ Tissues
✅ Yoghurt pots
✅ Coffee cups (why not bring your own coffee cup, or KeepCups to reduce the use of coffee cups)
✅ Serviettes
✅ Glass
✅ Tetra Pak containers

2. Recycling

On campus, you can recycle plastic and paper in the same bin. This includes things like:

✅ Paper (loose office paper, envelopes, newspapers and magazines - NOT coffee cups and serviettes)
✅ Cans (aluminium or steel drinks and food cans, but they must not contain any food or liquid)
✅ Cardboard (cardboard boxes and packaging, lightweight board)
✅ Plastic bottles (plastic water, soft drink and milk bottles, but they must not contain any food or liquid)
❌ Glass bottles or jars

3. Bio waste

This bin is for food waste only, no packaging allowed. Find out how we take our recycling one step further by turning food waste into energy! 

✅ Fruit and veg (raw and cooked, including peelings)
✅ Meat and fish (raw and cooked)
✅ Rice, pasta and cereal
✅ Bread, cakes and pastries
✅ Tea bags and coffee grounds (no filters)
✅ Leftover food from dishes and plates
✅ Dairy products
✅ Egg shells
✅ Bones (in small quantities)

The do's and don'ts of recycling in halls

DO:

• Rinse out containers.
• Squash items down like your cardboard, cans and plastics. 
• Separate items as and when required, it's best to check the signage on your collection bins. 
• Remove food from card packaging.
• Put your recycling in clear or white bags and put it in the right bin. 

DON'T:

• Recycle any food, although you can put food into compost it is not recyclable which is why you need to clean out food containers beforehand.
• Recycle items that are dirty or greasy like oily pizza boxes.
• Recycle any loose plastic bags. 

Remember you can always buy one of our reusable KeepCups in our cafés that not only looks great but can help to reduce a lot of waste during your time as a student! 

If you're ever confused about what you can and can't check the signage on your collection bins.

Contact:
Follow us @ualcatering for more updates.