Don't bin this opportunity!

In 2021, the University set a bold and ambitious target: to halve the volume of domestic general waste sent for incineration with energy recovery by 2025.

Now, with just four months to go, we’re proud to share that we’ve already reduced this by an impressive 609.89 tonnes, equating to a 45.04% reduction. This leaves us with just 67.12 tonnes to go before the end of July 2025, and with collective effort, we can get there.

Driving progress across campus

This remarkable progress has been made possible thanks to a number of key initiatives and the efforts of our staff, students and wider university community.

One of the most impactful changes has been the introduction of separate food waste recycling in University accommodation and catering facilities. Since September 2023, over 100 tonnes of food waste have been diverted from incineration, a significant step in the right direction.

In addition, you may have noticed changes to internal bins across campus. Mixed recycling bins have now been introduced and aligned with those in accommodation and external locations. Internal bin stations have been redesigned, and signage has been refreshed to make recycling simpler, clearer, and more accessible for everyone. This supports better recycling habits, helps keep general waste to a minimum, and reduces contamination of recyclable materials.

The rollout of simpler recycling also means we can now recycle a wider range of items, you’ll find a full list of accepted materials below to help you sort your waste correctly.

What’s next?

Building on the success of food waste recycling in accommodation and catering, we are now working closely with our Cleaning Services team to explore how this can be extended across the wider campus. Plans are also underway to upgrade external general waste bins to trio bins, allowing for the segregation of general waste, mixed recycling, and food waste in one convenient location.

How you can help

With the finish line in sight, every action counts. The most recent waste audits indicate that a considerable amount of recyclable material is still ending up in general waste. To help us hit our target:

• Always use the correct bin - follow the signage and place recyclables in the appropriate container.
• Take a moment to check what can be recycled - every item makes a difference.
• Keep an eye out for further updates on food waste recycling across campus.

Together, we can reach, and even surpass, our waste reduction goal by July 2025.

Further information

For further details, take a look at the University’s Waste Management Plan, which outlines how we manage waste streams, reduce waste at source, recover resources, and support a circular economy.

For any questions about waste reduction or recycling on campus, please contact Sam Hay at s.hay@liverpool.ac.uk. To learn more about our wider sustainability initiatives, get in touch with the Sustainability Team at sustainability@liverpool.ac.uk