Recycling at the University

Recycling conserves our natural resources, saves energy, protects ecosystems and people, and reduces pollution. The University is committed to dealing with waste in a responsible manner and our waste is processed by SUEZ Recycling and Recovery, who turn waste into new resources and contribute to a circular economy. Find out more about how our waste is processed here.

What can you do?

The best thing you can do is create less waste wherever possible. Try to avoid disposable coffee cups, plastic bottles, straws and cutlery and use reusable items instead. Buy products with minimal/no packaging and when you do have to throw something away, it’s important to recycle what you can. 

Knowing what packaging is recyclable can be a difficult task, however. If you’re unsure what can or can’t be put in the recycling bin, see this handy online recycling checker.

For advice on how to recycle at the University, click on the icons below or refer to the University's recycling guide.

Recycling Loves to be Left Loose

Watch this short video about the ‘recycling loves to be left loose’ initiative, which concentrates on confusion on what to recycle, and contamination in recycling collections.

Know your bins

All University buildings and student halls have 3 different bins, which are emptied daily where staff and students can separate waste into the correct recycling bin. Blue bins are for paper, red bins are for plastic products only and grey bins are for metal only.

Paper recycling

Paper recycling bins are available across campus. You can recycle the following items; white or coloured paper, envelopes (with windows removed), newspapers and magazines, directories, brochures, leaflets and thin card.

Plastic bottle recycling

Plastic recycling bins are available across campus. You can recycle the following items; Plastic Bottles, tubs and trays which display the PET and HDPE symbols and have been washed.

Tin and can recycling

Metal recycling bins are available across campus. You can recycle the following items; Food and drinks cans which have been washed, tin foil and foil trays.

Glass bottle and jar recycling

Glass Recycling bins are now available on the main university campus, adjacent to the Sydney Jones Library, Student Health Building, Eleanor Rathbone Building as well as opposite the Harold Cohen Library. You can recycle the following items; glass bottles and jars which have been washed.

IT equipment

The University provides a the collection and recycle service for redundant IT equipment. Where possible, all redundant IT equipment is repaired with the aim of maximising re-use. Any items that cannot be refurbished are broken down into their component parts and recycled.

Battery recycling

Batteries can be recycled with convenience BatteryBack bins.

Crisp packet recycling

The Guild of Students has a collection point for Terracycle's crisp packet recycling scheme where staff and students can drop off used crisp packets at the Guild reception to be recycled.

Collection service

The University collects paper, cardboard, fridges, freezers, washing machines and other electrical and electronic components from University buildings free of charge and makes them ready to be 100% recycled. Book a collection here.

Donate

Leave Liverpool Tidy is a city-wide project run by the Liverpool Guild of Students that aims to re-use and recycle unwanted belongings, reducing the number of items that go to landfill. Find out how you can donate clothes, bags, books and other small items.