As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to best practice, Rhiannon Hunt, Circular Economy Manager, and Sam Hay, Waste and Recycling Officer, recently visited EMERGE Recycling for a site tour and to undertake a Waste Duty of Care audit.
Having worked with EMERGE for five years as our confidential waste partner, the visit provided an opportunity to review operational processes first-hand and reaffirm confidence in the secure, compliant and environmentally responsible handling of the University’s confidential waste.
Understanding our Waste Duty of Care
Under UK waste legislation, all organisations have a legal Duty of Care to ensure waste is stored, transported, handled and disposed of responsibly. For confidential waste, this responsibility is particularly important. Secure disposal plays a critical role in protecting sensitive information, supporting data protection compliance, and ensuring a fully traceable chain of custody from collection through to destruction. Our audit process enables us to assess these arrangements directly, ensuring that the systems and controls in place continue to meet the high standards we expect for both compliance and information security.
Following the journey of confidential waste
A key part of the visit was following the full journey of our confidential paper waste through EMERGE’s secure destruction process. Confidential paper is collected securely from across the University and transported directly to EMERGE’s Manchester processing facility. Once on-site, materials are fed through industrial-scale shredding equipment, ensuring complete destruction of sensitive information.
The shredded paper is then baled and transferred to Northwood Recycling, where it is processed and remanufactured into new paper products, including toilet roll. Importantly, none of the University’s confidential material leaves the UK at any stage of the process, providing full transparency, traceability and assurance over secure domestic processing.
This closed-loop approach demonstrates how robust data security can sit alongside circular economy principles, turning confidential waste into a valuable secondary resource.
Working with EMERGE Recycling
EMERGE Recycling has been delivering recycling and confidential shredding services since 1998, supporting organisations with secure, sustainable waste solutions. As part of the wider EMERGE Collective, their work is guided by the principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, combining operational excellence with a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and community impact.
During the visit, the team saw first-hand the significant investment EMERGE Recycling has made in creating a highly efficient and environmentally conscious operation.
Standout initiatives include:
- 357 solar panels installed on-site, generating enough electricity to meet and exceed operational demand during sunnier months
- The refurbishment and reuse of the existing warehouse structure, retaining the original steel frame and significantly reducing construction-related carbon impact
- Energy-efficient infrared heating systems used within office spaces
- A heat exchanger system that captures waste heat from refrigeration units to produce hot water on-site
- A recycling rate of over 99%, with only minimal residual waste by weight
These measures demonstrate a genuine commitment to circular economy principles and reinforce the environmental benefits of our partnership.
Creating wider social value
One of the most compelling aspects of EMERGE’s work is the wider social value created through its sister initiatives, including FareShare Greater Manchester and Touch Wood. Through FareShare, surplus in-date food that would otherwise go to waste is redistributed to frontline charities, schools and community organisations across the region, helping tackle food poverty while reducing waste. The initiative addresses two critical challenges simultaneously: food insecurity and unnecessary disposal of edible food.
Meanwhile, Touch Wood collects waste timber that would typically be burned for biomass and gives it a second life through reuse, resale and upcycling. Materials are transformed into practical products while also supporting volunteering, training and employability opportunities for local people. Anything unsuitable for direct reuse is recycled locally, ensuring minimal waste.
A proportion of EMERGE Recycling’s commercial income helps support these wider programmes, meaning that our confidential waste management contributes not only to secure disposal and environmental sustainability, but also to meaningful community impact.
Going beyond compliance
The site visit and Duty of Care audit provided valuable assurance that our confidential waste continues to be managed securely, responsibly and in line with both legal requirements and the University’s wider sustainability commitments. Working with partners like EMERGE Recycling allows us to go beyond compliance - supporting environmental innovation, data security and positive social outcomes through every stage of the waste management process.
Find out more
For further information about waste and recycling on campus visit our dedicated webpages, or contact the Sustainability Team at sustainability@liverpool.ac.uk.