Recycling on campus

Page last updated:
30 Jun 2022

Recycling is a great way for us all to help reduce our environmental impact. We’ve provided recycling points across our campuses and it’s important you put the right material in the right bin.

On this page you’ll find information about recycling at our university, and how we manage our waste to reduce our impact on the environment.

Recycling points

Most recycling points at our university will have the following streams:

  • Paper: paper; newspapers; dry cardboard
  • Plastic bottles: plastic bottles can be rinsed and placed in this stream
  • General waste: crisp and sweet packets; aerosols; sandwich packets; used tissues; food packaging; glass; cling film; hard plastics; plastic bags; laminated sheets; used pizza boxes; photographic paper; polystyrene; pens and pencils; instant hot drinks sachets

Special recycling points are also available for these waste types:

  • Food waste: bins are available at Beckett Kitchen outlets. Please use general waste if a dedicated bin is not available
  • Coffee cups: you can recycle coffee cups in the dedicated coffee cup bins provided at our food outlets. If a dedicated coffee cup bin is not available, please use a general waste bin. These cups have a plastic lining which means they can’t be recycled along with the dry mixed recycling
  • Batteries: the following types of batteries can be recycled in labelled bins at the AV Loans desks in the James Graham Library, Headingley and Sheila Silver Library, City Campus:
    • AA batteries
    • AAA batteries
    • Mobile phone batteries
    • Laptop batteries

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

A.

Coffee cups can’t normally be recycled due to the plastic lining; this is why in most places on campus they should go into the general waste bins. However, in our Food Courts and coffee shops we have specialist coffee cup bins where they can be recycled. Cups collected here will be sent off to have the plastic lining separated from the paper part of the coffee cup, both materials can then be turned into new products.

To use the dry coffee cup bins, simply:

  1. Empty liquids into the central reservoir
  2. Remove lid and collar, and place in the dry mixed recycling
  3. Stack your coffee cup in the bin

You can also ask to use a porcelain mug instead of a disposable coffee cup in most coffee shops on campus.

A.

When you recycle your waste on campus you can be confident that it will be turned into something useful, with 99% of our waste being diverted from landfill. To do this, our Cleaners and Sustainability team work closely with specialist recycling partners. They ensure that the different types of waste are handled correctly to reduce the carbon and methane emissions which contribute to global warming.

  • Dry mixed recycling is sorted and then used to create new materials or converted to energy
  • Anaerobic digestion converts food waste into nutrient-rich biofertiliser and renewable energy
  • The plastic lining is separated from dry coffee cups so they can be turned into new products from the material created
  • Combustible general waste is sorted, shredded, dried, baled and then burned to produce electricity
A.

Recycling facilities in student accommodation are provided by your Halls Management team and vary depending on the site. For more information, speak to your reception or Halls Management team.

A.

If you live in student housing, don’t forget to recycle your rubbish and use the right bins for your waste. You’ll need to remember when your collection days are and put your bin in the appropriate place. The Leeds City Council website has information on bin collection days, what to put in the bin and other useful tips.

Leeds City Council recycling sites are located across the city to help all residents, including students, recycle their household waste. You can take your glass bottles to the bottle bank, recycle paper and cardboard, and much more. At the Kirkstall site you can even pick up a bargain at the Revive Leeds shop which sells furniture, electrical goods, clothes, books and household items.

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