Waste and Recycling Archives - Page 2 of 4

Going green in 2019

By danfernbankJan 02, 20190 Comments

As 2019 begins, we take a look at our plans for delivering environmental sustainability at the University this coming year. Where we are 2018 was our most successful year yet sustainability-wise, with major reductions in waste production and water consumption and increases in sustainable travel levels. For an interactive look back, view our Annual Sustainability Report. Where we’re going Continuous improvement is a key part of strong environmental management, and 2019 promises to be no exception. Energy hack We are developing plans for our first ever ‘Energy Hack’, building on the success of previous Blackout events to reduce energy consumption in…

Energy and Water, Policy, Travel and Transport, Waste and Recycling

Reporting issues and flytipping

General issues Spotted lots of litter? Issues with overflowing wheelie bins or internal bins? Let us know at waste@reading.ac.uk. Reporting flytipping If you catch someone flytipping rubbish on University premises, phone Security Services immediately on 0118 378 7799. Let them know what you have seen and follow their advice. Before you take any other action, make sure it is safe to do so. Be extremely careful as some wastes can be hazardous. Do not open black bags or drums, and be aware that waste could be contaminated or hiding dangerous materials (e.g. asbestos or needles). Take photos - but if…

Warp-it

Warp-it is an online portal (a bit like eBay), where members of staff can upload details of unwanted University furniture, office accessories and stationery (in good condition), and can claim any items listed there for business use. The Warp-it portal is overseen by Sustainability Services (as the Admin). Any member of staff with a reading.ac.uk email address can register to login to Warp-it so that they can view and claim items listed on the portal, as well as upload details of unwanted items. Warp-it is not a location for furniture storage. If you have used Warp-it before and want to log…

UniGreenScheme

Do you have University equipment that is in good condition and still working, but is now unwanted? Have you already tried offering it to other Schools and Functions (through Warp-it or other methods), but haven't found a new home? Please consider whether the University's equipment reseller, UniGreenScheme, could collect and re-home it. How does it work? How to make a booking How will I receive payment for items when they are sold? If you are eligible for profit-sharing once an item has been sold, UniGreenScheme will send you a credit note - once received, contact your finance administrator for assistance…

Summer Re-use challenge 2018

By ruthharrisDec 05, 20180 Comments

In August, the popular re-use challenge returned! In August 2017 we avoided disposing of 219kg of stuff by re-using it, which saved staff over £1,500 because they sourced items for free rather than having to buy it all new. But this August we wanted to achieve 250kg of items re-used in just two weeks! Why did we do this? Because re-use is the right thing to do - it has lots of environmental and financial benefits. The University recognises this and has a target to improve re-use by 10% by 2021. Not only was there yummy chocolate or "sugar free"…

Waste and Recycling

The Egg-cellent April Re-Use Challenge!

By ruthharrisJul 24, 20180 Comments

You did it! The April Re-use challenge target has been achieved. We set staff a target to re-use 700kg of items by the end of April. It was a big challenge, and yummy Cadbury's Creme eggs (or sugar-free desk tidies) were offered to people who helped out. A big thank-you to everyone who took part - you did it! The target has been achieved and you re-used a whopping 740kg of items through the University's Warp-it portal. That's nearly three quarters of a tonne, and it has saved staff an estimated £4,488 by avoiding buying new. Why did we do…

Waste and Recycling

Where Does Our Waste Go?

This page provides information on how our waste is managed, who manages it and where it goes. For more information on what you can recycle or how to handle your waste, consult the Waste and Recycling A-Z. For any clarification or further information do not hesitate to contact waste@reading.ac.uk. Dry Mixed Recycling - cans, plastic bottles, tins, paper etc. Once dry mixed recycling is placed in the recycling bins it is collected by the cleaners and porters and then placed in various wheelie bins across campus. The University's waste contractor then collects the waste and transports it to a Materials Recycling Facility…

Student Sustainability Assistants

By sustainabilityservicesMar 15, 20180 Comments

In the spring term Sustainability Services have taken on 4 Student Sustainability Assistants to help aid some of the many exciting upcoming projects. The areas where most of the work is being focussed, is improvements to Recycling and Travel at the University. Mike is a second year Environmental Management student working with the team and this is an update on how he is finding his time with the team. I started working with Sustainability Services at the start of January to aid Ruth Harris and Anna Glue with the new bin installations at London Road and MERL. This included labelling…

Awards and Achievements, Waste and Recycling

Paper cup recycling, and re-useable cups

Paper cup recycling Good news! You can recycle disposable paper coffee cups in special cups bins around the campus. Please look for the dedicated cup recycling points in and near cafés, catering outlets, and key locations such as foyers and seating areas (there is a list of locations below so you can find your closest bin). These recycling bins predominantly have pink labels (see above), with a few that have blue labels (see left) - we hope to update the blue labelled bins in due course. Please do not put paper cups in the green recycling bins - they must be…

Are we focusing on the right environmental issues?

By danfernbankFeb 27, 20180 Comments

Opinion: Dan Fernbank, Energy & Sustainability Manager Paper cups, plastic bottles, plastic straws - it seems everyone's talking about them. High profile coverage from the likes of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's 'War on Waste!' and David Attenborough's 'Blue Planet 2' have done wonders to highlight their environmental impacts, and to encourage practical environmental action on a large scale. But are these really today's big environmental issues? The University has set ambitious targets for continual environmental improvement throughout its operations, aiming by 2021 to cut its carbon emissions by 45%, water consumption by 35%, boost recycling to 60% and continuously improve sustainable travel…

Waste and Recycling