Waste and recycling

In the 2022/23 academic year the University produced a total of 2,512 tonnes of waste, of which 44% was recovered on site for recycling with further off site processing resulting in 9% being disposed via landfill. Over the years we have seen a significant reduction in the proportion of our waste that ends up in Landfill, in line with our Policy. 2022/23 saw the amount of food waste collected increase to 96 tonnes (up from 63 tonnes in 2021/22). Our food waste is processed locally by an anaerobic digester in Colwick. We want to do more - and with your help we can.

We're reducing landfill waste by...

Working with contractors to reduce waste during construction projects
Reusing spare furniture
Hosting bookcrossing zones
Encouraging the use of reusable water bottles and cups rather than disposable options
Running end of year Pack for Good scheme for students to donate unwanted items to the British Heart Foundation and local foodbanks
Recycling IT equipment through our IT supplier [UoN access only]
Providing lots of recycling points on campus
Running battery recycling scheme for portable batteries
Composting around 500 tonnes of garden waste each year, to reuse within the campus grounds as soil improver
Composting food waste from halls of residence and catering outlets

Resources

Find a water fountain

How to order recycling bins [PDF]

Recycling posters

Find out what happens to waste once it leaves our campuses [PDF]

Reduce

The best way to stop sending waste to landfill is to stop producing so much waste in the first place. Think before you buy items and try to reduce the amount of consumables you use.

Good purchasing checklist
[UoN access only]

Reuse

When you no longer need an item, consider whether it could be reused by someone else. This includes packaging too!

Find out more about our furniture reuse scheme

Recycle

Even if an item has been reused lots of times, sometimes the product comes to a natural end. Instead of disposing of this item to landfill, please recycle it instead.

Unsure if it can be recycled? Check our A-Z of waste

Sustainability Team

Estate Office, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

Email: sustainability@nottingham.ac.uk