Estates

Waste Management

We are committed to reducing, reusing and recycling our items and to this end a number of initiatives and policies are in place across the University.

For all waste related queries please email waste.collection@durham.ac.uk

Recycling

Currently, we recycle 'at source' 46% of our waste. We have put the below measures in place to make recycling at the University as easy as possible.

  • Colour coded internal bins located around the University. These bins match the exterior bin colours so provide consistency.
  • Colour coded posters placed above each bin listing exactly what can be recycled; there are also specific posters for the catering department, YUM Café and self-catering colleges.
  • Quarterly recycling figures are produced for each Department and College and are made into league tables. The information is broken down into different types of materials.
  • 'Toolkit' training talks were carried out to caretakers, cleaning staff, catering staff and members of the Student Environment Group in order to improve the understanding and uptake of recycling throughout the University.
  • Recycling Audits are carried out in all 16 colleges.
  • New systems have been put in place to encourage more secure shredding (which is all recycled).
  • A recycle and reuse database detailing what can be recycled, where, and the contact person has been created
  • A furniture and equipment reuse scheme has been set up to allow the sharing of resources within the University.

  • Procedures have been put in place to help our staff and students know what to do in relation to different waste streams including batteries, printer cartridges, abandoned bicycles, secure shredding and WEEE.

These initiatives are still developing in order to raise our 'at source' recycling rate even further.

College and Department current recycling figures can be viewed here. Please note that we only measure commercial waste from the bar and the shop from Brooks House, Josephine Butler and Ustinov and this is why their recycling totals are 100%. All of their other waste is collected by the Local Authority who do not provide us with weights.

Recycling Posters

Below are the most up-to-date versions of our recycling posters: