Changes to our bins and waste collection across campus

We’re changing the way that we collect waste on campus.

We’re doing this to improve our recycling rates and reduce contamination of recycling, as well as adhering to new regulations that have come into effect around the separate collection of general waste, food waste, paper and card, and other recyclables.  

You’ll start to notice changes from the end of August as we begin to reposition some of our bins and introduce new bins that will enable us to better collect these separate waste streams.

September 2025 update: Many of the changes are now in place with new bins rolled out in some of our buildings. Other bins are still due to be rearranged so you will continue to see changes to bin placements over the next few weeks, and improved signage will be implemented soon. 

What difference will I see on campus?

Bins will change location

You’ll notice the locations of our bins changing on campus. Bins will primarily be positioned in corridors rather than offices and classrooms.

We’re doing this to ensure that bins are provided in each building and that waste can be collected in separate streams more easily from the areas they are most likely to arise.

These changes will be happening across campus from the end of August and into September. 

New bins

You’ll start to see food waste bins and more paper and card bins so that we can more effectively collect separate waste streams and reduce contamination.

These might come in a variety of shapes and sizes such as small food waste side pods attached to larger bins, surface counter food waste caddies, and large food waste bins in our cafes. 

New bin signage

Wherever possible, we’ll be adding signage on or near our bins to help everyone know what can and can’t go in each bin.  

What does this mean for me?  

No more under-desk bins

We will no longer provide, or empty, any under-desk bins as they do not allow for the collection of separate waste streams as outlined in the new regulations.

If you choose to continue to utilise an under-desk bin, you will need to empty this yourself by taking it to the nearest bin station and sorting the contents into the correct bins.

Campus Services cleaning staff will no longer be emptying these bins.  

Your nearest bin may move further away

You may have to travel from your office to the corridor to dispose of your waste, or you may have to take your waste to the nearest kitchenette to dispose of food waste.

We have strategically mapped out our bin placements to ensure everyone has reasonable access to bins across campus.

The bin you usually dispose of your waste in might change

As we’re now splitting waste streams out further, the bin you might previously have put your waste in may no longer be where you now need to put it.

Signage near or on the bins should help you with ensuring you use the right bin for the right type of waste.  

How will we be monitoring the success of these changes and making additional changes if needed?

To ensure we’re providing the right bins in the right places, we’ll carry out regular checks to see if additional bins might be needed in certain areas.

For example, if we’re getting a lot of paper in bins where there shouldn’t be paper, that indicates we might need to add a paper bin in that location. 

If there are any waste streams that you think are key and missing from certain locations, then please do let us know. Email the Sustainability team.

Help and support available

As these changes are rolled out across campus, everyone will need to adjust.

We’d be really grateful if you could support our recycling initiatives and targets by encouraging colleagues and your students to recycle correctly.

If you have queries on which items should go in which waste stream, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Email the Sustainability team.

Why are these changes happening?

New legislation was brought in on 1 April 2025 which means the following waste streams must be separated in the workplace:

• General waste
• Food
• Paper and card
• All other recycling (plastics, metals, glass, cartons)

These changes were brought in by the government to: 

• make recycling consistent between the workplace and at home, and across different areas of the country
• improve recycling rates as everyone learns the correct waste streams to use 
• reduce contamination of recycling streams which results in higher quality recyclable materials 
• reduce food waste as individuals will be able to see how much is being wasted which can prompt a change in habits 

Our goal to achieve a 70% recycling rate by 2031

The changes also support our Climate and Sustainability Plan 2025-2030, released in July 2025, which outlines the steps we are taking to reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices across all of our activity.

A key performance indicator and target in the plan is achieving a 70% recycling rate by 2031 and reducing the amount of waste generated per person year on year.