Waste

We want to ensure that we manage our resources efficiently, through following the waste hierarchy (reduce, reuse, recycle) with a priority focus on reduction of waste at source and reuse. Examples of this include reducing the amount that we purchase through informed decision making and expanding our successful internal reuse and sharing schemes.

We want to change the way we view waste, we want to see waste as a resource. In order to do this we are focussing on reducing the amount of waste we produce in the first place.

Once you no longer need an item we ask staff and students to dispose of waste responsibly. Our source segregated recycling rate (what we separate ourselves into bins on campus) is around 35%. You can help us increase this by using the correct bins for your waste.

Where disposal of waste is the only viable option, we actively seek to use more sustainable treatment technologies to reduce waste sent to landfill. Our policy and current waste contract ensures that zero waste is sent direct to landfill. This is achieved by taking all non-recyclable (residual*) waste to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Trafford Park where it is shredded before it is transferred to a facility in FerryBridge in West Yorkshire run by Multifuel Energy Ltd where it is used as a Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). For more details visit our operational web pages.

* the waste that is left after various recyclates have been collected at source.

Reduce: Ask yourself whether you really need something before you buy it. Can you share items such as equipment with colleagues? Can you help reduce the amount of food wasted in your area?

Reuse: We have a successful Furniture Reuse Store and IT reuse centre. We encourage our staff to make use of these facilities before buying new items.

Recycle: to find out how we recycle on campus please see our recycling videos. If you are unsure of how to recycle something visit our A-Z of waste types and our food waste page.

Waste is one of 12 themes in 50,000 Actions. Visit 50,000 Actions to learn more and to create your waste action plan.

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Did you know?

We produce over 4,500 tonnes of waste through our day to day operations (not including construction) annually.

We have a list of frequently asked questions for staff and students.