A - Z Waste Guide
This A-Z waste guide has been produced to help you dispose of your waste in a sustainable way, ensure NTU is compliant with all relevant waste legislation, and to help us meet our waste and recycling targets.
A - M
Aerosols
WD40 cans etc. are disposed of by our specialist hazardous waste contractor Biffa. Store in an open top box until full then contact Biffa for collection. Expanding foam must be stored separately to other aerosols and should also be disposed of via Biffa. These items should not be placed in any bin or skip.
Asbestos
If you believe the item you have contains asbestos please contact the Sustainability team for further information.
Batteries
Portable batteries e.g. standard disposable and rechargeable batteries (AA, watch batteries, mobile phone batteries etc) can be recycled in battery bins located in the following locations:
- City: Netwon Building by Student Services Desk
- Clifton: Erasmus Darwin Reception
- Brackenhurst: Bramley Reception
- Mansfield: Main Reception area
If battery bins are full please report to the Facilities Team via the Estates Helpdesk
Lithium (and Li-ion) batteries may also be disposed of in these bins but please tape over the contact points and keep them away from fluids to prevent the risk of combustion. Ni-Cad, mercury and Lead acid batteries are Hazardous Waste and should be disposed of by our Hazardous Waste contractor. Please contact Sustainability team for further information.
Bicycles
Unwanted bikes can be donated to RideWise or Nottingham Bikeworks (both are not-for-profit organisations). Wherever possible, bikes are refurbished and used to support the projects\; bikes that are past the point of saving are used for parts. Contact NTU Cycle Hub for details.
Books
If you have any unwanted books and journals that are still in a usable condition they can be donated to organisations such as Better World Books or Oxfam (Oxfam Book Stores located in the City centre, West Bridgford, Beeston and Newark). Unwanted books can also be put on WARPit. If you have large quantities of books that can not be donated please contact the Sustainability team.
Brochures and Catalogues
Small quantities can be recycled through mixed recycling bins. Please do not overload the bins and contact the Sustainability team for large quantities.
Bulbs
Including strip lights, fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), mercury bulbs etc. These items are classified as hazardous waste and are covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations for safe disposal.
Fluorescent Tubes should be disposed of separately and not left in the bin compound area. If you have a fluorescent tube that requires disposal please put in a request via the Estates Help Desk.
Bulky/Large items
For items such as desks, chair, filing cabinets that are not in good enough condition to be re-used through WARPit, a request can be made through the Estates Help Desk for removal.
Cans
Aluminium and metal drinks cans can be recycled in the internal NTU Mixed Recycling bins. These are found throughout the University in all buildings, alongside the Non Recyclable Waste bins. Please ensure that cans are empty, and preferably rinsed out, before recycling.
Cardboard
Cardboard can be recycling in the 'Mixed Recycling' bins.
Carrier Bags
Please use the 'General Waste' bins.
Cling Film
Please use the 'General Waste' bins.
Clinical Waste
Clinical waste must be stored in locked containers and is disposed of via the University's specialist waste contractor, PHS. Sharps bins are located around the university and can be used for small, one-off items such as broken glass, needles, etc. If you have an item that needs to be disposed of in a sharps bin please contact the Sustainability team who can advise on how to deal with the waste.
If this is a new waste stream please contact the Sustainable Development Team so that the correct arrangements can be made to deal with this waste.
Sanitary / hygiene bins are dealt with by Cleaning Services. If you have any queries about these bins please contact the Cleaning Services Manager.
Clothing
NTU works with BHF encouraging students to donate clothes, shoes, accessories, books and CDs in their banks located around NTU. BHF will also take furniture and electrical items for their store in the Old Market Square.
BHF bank locations:
- City Burns Road, Tennyson Street, Shakespeare Street.
- Clifton Peverell Brackenhurst
- Brackenhurst Residences
Branded uniforms need to be disposed of confidentially. Please contact Enva to arrange disposal.
Coffee Cups and Lids (disposable)
Coffee cups and the lids can be recycled in the 'Mixed Recycling' bins. Please consider carrying your own re-usable cup to minimise waste.
Computer Equipment
All IT related waste should be collected by Information Systems. Please raise an Estates Help Desk Request.
Our contractor CDL collect all old IT equipment and other electronic waste (WEEE). Data is wiped clean and a destruction certification provided. CDL refurbishes the equipment and sells it on for reuse. This is part of NTU's commitment to following the waste hierarchy of reduce, reuse and recycle in order to minimise our environmental impact.
Confidential Waste
Confidential paper is recycled through our sub-contractor Shredall. See NTU Confidential Waste procedure for collection details. If you require assistance contact the Sustainability team.
Cooking Oil
Cooking oil from NTU's kitchen is supplied and collected by R-Oil who reuse the product as bio-diesel which is used to fuel their delivery vehicles.
Disposable Gloves
Disposable gloves should be disposed of in the 'General waste' bins. Please consider purchasing reusable gloves where possible.
Dog Waste
NTU provide dog waste bins along the Clifton nature trail and popular routes around Brackenhurst campus. The bins are emptied by the landscape team to one main bin which is collected separately from the normal waste.
Electronic and Electrical Equipment
All electrical waste must not be disposed of within any of NTU's bins or skips. These items undergo specialist disposal. A request can be made via the Estates Helpdesk for removal of these items.
Small items (e.g. calculators, telephones, battery operated equipment) can be disposed on in WEEE bins located in Maudslay yard (City), Main Hall waste compound (Brackenhurst), or the Maintenance Yard (Clifton).
Any large items can be collected by the Facilities Team. Please log your request using the Estates Helpdesk.
All IT related waste should be collected by Information Systems.
Fluorescent Tubes
Fluorescent Tubes should be disposed of separately and not left in the bin compound area. If you have a fluorescent tube that requires disposal please put in a request via the Estates Helpdesk.
Foil
This should be clean and can be placed in the 'Mixed Recycling' bins.
Food
Food waste collection points are located in the catering outlets and staff kitchens. They can accept raw/cooked meat, vegetables, tea bags, coffee granules, egg shells, bread, dairy, nuts, seeds, wooden stirrers. Please do not put liquid in food waste bins.
Furniture
WARPit helps our staff redistribute their School or department's unwanted furniture and equipment. It increases resource efficiency, reduces unnecessary procurement and waste disposal costs, and has already achieved savings of £35,150.
If you're a member of NTU staff, visit our Warp It portal and register now. You can choose to receive either a daily or weekly email showing what's been listed.
Fridge and Freezers
If the item is still in working order please offer it to others via WARPit.
If it is beyond repair and you are replacing it with a new unit, the retailer should offer a take-back service. If this is not possible raise an Estates Helpdesk request.
Gas bottles/canisters
Canisters should be returned to the supplier for reuse or disposed of as Hazardous Waste. Please contact the Sustainability team if you require further advice.
Glass
Glass can be recycled using the Dry Mixed Recycling bins across campus. There are also specific glass recycling bins found in the following locations:
- City: Dryden Street (Bonington building), Shakespeare Villas (Back of Dryden Centre)
- Clifton: SU compound
- Brackenhurst: Halls of residence compounds, Brack Main bin compound (by The Lodge)
Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste is produced in several areas of the University and its safe disposal is the responsibility of of the departments that produce it. Common items include acids and alkaline solutions, oils, batteries, chemicals, solvents, paints and dyes, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, photographic chemicals, TVs monitors and fluorescent tubes.
Contact the Sustainability team for more information or if you have a new hazardous waste stream to dispose of.
Ink Cartridges
Most printer and toner cartridges can be recycled via Digital Technologies. If DT already change the toner on your printer for you, they will take empty cartridges away with them. There are also drop off points for cartridges from other printers and copiers. These are in the following locations:
- Brackenhurst: Outside DT office/workshop, behind Main Hall
- City: 64 Terrace Royal Basement (DT offices). Either drop off or send via internal mail marked as "Toner Recycling"
- Clifton: Catalysis Research Centre (DT offices). Either drop off or send via internal mail marked as "Toner Recycling"
IT Equipment
IT equipment (PCs, laptops, printers etc.) should be collected by Facilities Support in the same way as Electrical and bulky items. Once collected the IS team will either refresh and reuse them or will pass them onto our contractor.
No items. Please refer to other sections.
No items. Please refer to other sections.
Laboratory Waste
Most Laboratory waste is treated in the same manner as Hazardous Waste, WEEE or Clinical Waste, depending on what it is. Your H&S Coordinators and Lab technicians will have procedures in place for the appropriate disposal of Laboratory waste.
Magazines
Please use 'Mixed Recycling' bins.
Metal
Aluminium cans can be recycled through the 'Mixed Recycling' bins. If you have scrap metal please contact the Sustainability team for further assistance.
Mixed Recycling
Find Dry Mixed Recycling bins throughout internal and external areas on campus. You can recycling cardboard, clean plastic tubs, pots and trays, clean drinks and food cans, plastic bottles and lids, mixed paper, coffee cups and lids.
Mobile phones
Staff Mobiles are managed by the DT team. Please ensure you are returning work phones or raise a request with the DT team if yours is no longer in working order.
N - Z
Newspaper
Please use 'Mixed Recycling' bins.
Oil
A wide variety of waste oils are classed as hazardous waste, including any oil-soaked items (oily rags, oil filters). Waste oil and any items contaminated with waste oil must be stored safely and collected separately. Oil must never be disposed of down the drain, nor should any oily rags be disposed of in any of the bins.
Paint
Paints, varnishes, glues and other substances used for maintenance and upkeep of buildings should not be disposed of into drains, or placed in any bin or skip. Any unwanted paints and varnishes must either be disposed of as Hazardous Waste (see details in hazardous waste section). If there are large quantities these may be suitable for donation please contact the Sustainability team for details.
Paper
NTU's mixed recycling bins accept most types of paper including office paper, catalogues/magazines, windowless envelopes or with window removed, newspapers and cardboard. We are unable to recycle waxed or laminated paper, food spoiled paper and card and paper/card with metal or plastic fastenings e.g. files with metal strips or polythene padded envelopes.
Please make sure that any metal or plastic fasteners, clips, staples etc. are removed wherever possible as they can damage recycling equipment.
Shredded paper in large amounts also blocks recycling machinery so please follow the confidential waste procedures to dispose of any sensitive paperwork.
Paper Towel
Paper towels should be disposed of in the 'General Waste' bins. NTU source paper towels which are made from recycled paper and this paper has very short fibres which means that it is unsuitable for recycling as it is coming to the end of its life cycle. Consider obtaining a dish rack or tea towels in your staff kitchen to minimise paper towel use.
Pens
If you wish to recycle your pens you can take them to any Ryman store.
Perspex
Contact Sustainability team to find out how to recycle large quantities of perspex.
Plastics
Mixed Recycling bins can accept types of plastics that are suitable for recycling including plastic drinks bottles, plastic milk cartons, yogurt pots, plastic food containers, shampoo bottles, and PVC (e.g. plastic piping).
Plastic with the number 1-6 in the triangle is good to go in Mixed Recycling bins as long as the packaging is clean (where possible).
Items that are not accepted are oil containers, those that have held toxic substances, paint containers and bio-degradable containers.
Black plastic must be put in the 'general waste' bins. Plastic bags should be placed in the 'general waste' bins.
Plastic Water Bottles
Plastic water bottles can be recycled in the 'Mixed Recycling' bins. Please consider filling a reusable bottle at one of NTU's water dispensers to help reduce plastic waste.
PPE
Non-Medical PPE must be disposed of in the General Waste bins and not in the Recycling Bins.
Printer Cartridges
Most printer and toner cartridges can be recycled via Digital Technologies. If DT already change the toner on your printer for you, they will take empty cartridges away with them.
There are also drop off points for cartridges from other printers and copiers. These are in the following locations:
- Brackenhurst: Outside DT office / workshop, behind Main Hall
- City: 64 Terrace Royal Basement (DT offices). Either drop off or send via internal mail marked up "Toner Recycling"
- Clifton: Catalysis Research Centre (DT offices). Either drop off or send via internal mail marked up "Toner Recycling"
No items. Please refer to other sections.
Ring Binder
Please use the 'Mixed Recycling' bins.
Sanitary/ Hygienic Waste
NTU provides sanitary waste disposal in bathrooms across the university. Cleaning Services manage this contract with PHS.
Sharps
Sharps (knives / blades or anything that could pierce a bag) should not be disposed of into regular office bins due to health and safety implications.
Most departments such as Art and Design or Architecture, Design and the Built Environment already have sharps containers for these items. If you are in either of these schools and have sharps to get rid of, please contact your technician.
If you are outside of these schools and have sharps to dispose of then maintenance and cleaning teams also have sharps containers. Please contact Health and Safety for further information.
Stationery
Used envelopes are perfect for use as internal mail. Just cross out or cover over the original address and send it on. Create a departmental stationery cupboard to reuse any unwanted items instead of buying new ones. If you wish to recycle your pens you can take them to any Ryman store.
Textiles
Scrap textiles can be donated to a number of local play forums please contact Sustainability team for more details.
Clothing can be donated through BHF clothing banks on campus. Branded uniforms need to be disposed of confidentially. Please contact Enva.
Tetra Pak Cartons
Tetra Pak cartons are not accepted in mixed recycling and must be disposed of through 'General Waste' bins.
Tissues
These should be disposed of in the 'General Waste' bins.
Toner
Most printer and toner cartridges can be recycled via Digital Technologies. If DT already change the toner on your printer for you, they will take empty cartridges away with them. There are also drop off points for cartridges from other printers and copiers. These are in the following locations:
- Brackenhurst: Outside DT office/workshop, behind Main Hall
- City: 64 Terrace Royal Basement (DT offices). Either drop off or send via internal mail marked up "Toner Recycling"
- Clifton: Catalysis Research Centre (DT offices). Either drop off or send via internal mail marked up "Toner Recycling"
No items. Please refer to other sections.
No items. Please refer to other sections.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
WEEE is waste electrical and electronic equipment. It is end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment and covers virtually everything with a plug or battery.
No electrical waste should be disposed of within any of NTU's bins or skips. These items undergo specialist disposal.
Small items (e.g. calculators, telephones, battery operated equipment) can be disposed on in WEEE bins located in Maudslay yard (City), Main Hall waste compound (Brackenhurst), or the Maintenance Yard (Clifton).
Any large items can be collected by the Facilities Team. Please log your request using the Estates Helpdesk.
All IT related waste should be collected by Information Systems.
Waste Water
NTU has small volumes letters from Severn Trent Water giving permission to discharge some chemicals to drain in Art and Design, Architecture, Design and the Built Environment and the School of Science and technology buildings. The main items which cannot be put down drains fall into two main categories:
1. Items on the prescribed processes and substances list
2. Anything flammable i.e. with a flash point above 23°C or 73°F (such as solvents)
Technicians in these buildings will be aware of the small volumes letters requirements.
If you have any queries then get in touch with the Sustainability team for further information.
White Goods
If the item is still in working order please offer it to others via WARPit. If it is beyond repair and you are replacing it with a new unit, the retailer should offer a take-back service. If this is not possible raise an Estates Help Desk request.
Wood
For large quantities of wood, please put a request through the Estates Help Desk.
No items. Please refer to other sections.
No items. Please refer to other sections.