Are you using the bins correctly?
Putting non-recyclable materials into the recycling bin can cause more harm to the environment.
Only ~45% of waste is properly segregated on site at NTU, which means that items are either placed in the wrong bins or recycling bins are contaminated. This prevents contents from being processed correctly, requiring more energy and resource, and hindering our efforts to be more sustainable.
The main waste contract for NTU has now successfully been transferred to Veolia. We would like to remind all NTU colleagues and students of correct disposal for all waste types. This is especially important as the new Simpler Recycling legislation came into effect as of 31st March 2025.
Top tips
- Put mixed material items in the general waste unless you can separate the recyclable elements.
- Empty and wash recyclable items before placing them into dry mixed recycling bins. You can use the liquid bins provided by NTU catering, or leave cups to be emptied.
- Check items to see if they have a numbered recycling mark on before placing in the dry mixed recycling bins.
- Look at our Waste A-Z to find out about the disposal of specialist items at NTU.
- Follow NTU's waste hierarchy.
- Make use of our British Heart Foundation bins to dispose of materials.
- If you're a staff member, use Warp It to redistribute furniture and office equipment across campuses.
- Place liquids or greasy food containers in recycling bins.
- Place batteries or electrical waste in general waste bins.
- Place food in dry mixed recycling bins. Leave it for the catering team to put into their food waste bins.
- Put tissues in the dry mixed recycling bin.
- Put black or opaque plastic in the dry mixed recycling.
- Wishcycle. Hoping items are recyclable is known in the waste industry as ‘wish-cycling’. This process leads to a lot of waste contamination and can prevent general waste going through the more sustainable avenue of energy recovery.
- Remember, small changes can make a big difference. By working together to reduce our waste and recycle properly, we can help create a more sustainable future.
Waste streams
This waste stream is for non-recyclable waste only. This includes (but is not limited to) items such as:
- Tissues and paper towels
- Crisp packets
- Contaminated food containers that cannot be washed, including pizza boxes
- Coffee cups
- Plastic bags
Reminders:
- Cardboard cannot go in general waste unless it is heavily contaminated e.g., with food.
- Batteries must not go into general waste as they are classified as hazardous waste (see below). Please use the designated battery bins.
- Please do not put liquids in the bin.
- Waste Electrical and Electronic (WEEE) equipment must not go into general waste. There are WEEE skips on each campus.
It is important to recycle where possible. The following should always be put in the recycling bin:
- Paper & Cardboard
- Plastic bottles, tubs, trays, cups etc.
- Tin cans
Please ensure items are clean and dry prior to disposal.
All food waste must now go into a designated food waste bin. This is no longer restricted to organic composting waste. Caddies can be found in kitchens and work is continually being conducted to improve the provision of bins where possible. If you are unsure of where to find a food waste bin, please contact waste@ntu.ac.uk.
We have green glass bags in all kitchens for daily glass waste e.g., bottles and jars. The cleaning services team will empty these daily into the designated glass bins in the waste compounds. Please do not remove the bags as it is important that there is sufficient provision for glass waste and that it is being disposed of correctly. Please note: broken glass cannot go in these bags.
If you come across broken glass, the process is as follows:
- Put it in a box
- Clearly label the box with 'broken glass'
- The box needs to be taped and left in kitchen where it will be taken by the cleaning services team
- It will then be disposed of in general waste, as per health and safety guidelines
If you have any further queries or concerns, please contact waste@ntu.ac.uk.
Did you know that the following items are all examples of hazardous waste?
- Li-ion batteries
- Aerosols
- Waste oils
- Fluorescent tubes
All hazardous waste must be disposed of via our external licenced contractors. If you come across any hazardous waste, please raise an Estates Helpdesk request so that it can be disposed of as soon as possible.
As of March 2025, all confidential waste will go directly through Shredall. Whilst there are no significant operational changes for end users, all requests must now go through operations@shredall.co.uk. Please do not send requests via Enva as this contract is no longer in place and requests will be refused. Updated guidance will be available on MyHub in due course.
There are several other avenues for waste that does not fall under the categories listed above.
For example: UniGreenScheme will sell redundant equipment including scientific and other specialist equipment for re-use on behalf of the University, rather than the equipment being scrapped when it is de-commissioned. They will assess, collect and store the equipment until sold. The University will receive a share of 50% of any net proceeds less pre-agreed costs. For more information on how to engage, please consult the Waste and Circularity page on MyHub.
For other disposal avenues, please consult the Waste A-Z webpage before contacting waste@ntu.ac.uk.
If in doubt, leave it out
If you are unsure whether an item can be recycled, the most sensible thing to do is place the item in the general waste bin.
Worried about sending unnecessary items to landfill? Whilst it is more energy and resource efficient to recycle an item if it can be, 95% of NTU’s general waste does not end up in landfill. Instead, it is used by our waste contractor to heat buildings and power equipment- so there is still a positive outcome!
By working together, these small changes can add up to make a real difference, not only reducing our carbon footprint but contributing to a healthier environment for everyone to enjoy. Check out the waste hierarchy (left) to see how you can help reduce waste.
Get in touch to learn more about Bin in Right
To learn more, or for any queries, please email sustainability@ntu.ac.uk.