Cheese or Chocolate?

By jamesthorpeNov 30, 20170 Comments
We know that cigarette ends getting discarded on the ground looks unsightly but it also has an impact on wildlife and the natural environment. As a University, we (officially!) have one of the best green spaces in the country and we are committed to keeping it that way. To encourage people to dispose of their cigarette ends responsibly, we are trialling new ballot bins. These new bins pose a question and allow smokers to vote on what they think! These have been used effectively in other areas of the country and we are looking forward to seeing the results of…
Waste and Recycling
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New drinks machines provide free water and cut plastic waste

By jamesthorpeSep 14, 20170 Comments
University students and staff will help stop more than half a million plastic bottles being thrown away every year with the introduction of new drinks machines around campus. The University of Reading is becoming the first university in the UK to introduce new vending machines designed to provide healthier drink choices and cut the volume of plastic waste on campus. Around 650,000 plastic bottled drinks are used across the University’s Whiteknights and London Road campuses each year. To reduce the volume of plastic used on campus, the University is this week launching the Sustain It bottle – a reusable bottle that uses…
Awards and Achievements, Energy and Water, Waste and Recycling, , , , ,
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Q and A with Abi, our summer intern

By jamesthorpeAug 25, 20170 Comments
This summer, Abi worked to raise awareness of the University’s new Waste Strategy including the new 60% recycling target. This included upgrading recycling facilities across ten buildings on campus, communicating with staff and students and investigate waste and recycling issues across campus. What did your role involved? As a Junior Sustainability Officer, I created a communication plan to engage with staff and students about upgrading facilities across campus. From Health & Safety’s input into the floorplans, porters’ assistance in moving newly unpacked and labelled bins and talking to staff during our recycling roadshows- this internship has taught me the importance…
Awards and Achievements, Waste and Recycling
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What can I recycle?

In the recycling bins with blue lids/labels: Paper Newspapers Magazines Cardboard (flattened) Envelopes NO paper cups NO plastics NO polystyrene NO hardback books NO glass NO food & liquid In the recycling bins with green lids/labels: Metal cans & tins (empty) Metal foil & metal lids TetraPak cartons (empty) Plastic bottles (empty) Plastic containers (clean) Paper & Card NO paper cups NO glass NO polystyrene NO food NO liquids More details about plastic types (external website) In the recycling bins for food waste: Leftover food Fruit skins and peelings Meat and fish (raw or cooked) Tea bags Coffee grounds NO…
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A-to-Z of Waste and Recycling

A: Aerosols, Aluminium Cans/Foil, Asbestos Waste, Appliances. more Aerosols On Campus: Some aerosols are categorised as hazardous waste, so please DO NOT put aerosols into any bins on campus.  If the aerosol has been used for University business purposes, contact Sustainability Services for recycling information (disposal is chargeable to the department). Off Campus: Check with your local council, as some may permit empty household aerosols to be placed in the mixed recycling. Alternatively, take to your household waste recycling centre. Ensure that the aerosol is completely empty before you decide to recycle it. Do not pierce, crush or flatten the aerosol before…
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Hazardous Waste

Hazardous Waste Waste is defined as hazardous if it contains materials or substances that are harmful to human health or the environment. The University is considered to be a hazardous waste 'producer' under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005.  Therefore the correct procedures and facilities need to be in place to ensure we are managing our waste appropriately, legally and safely. Safety Code of Practice 48: Hazardous Waste   -  This University Code of Practice provides information about what is defined as hazardous waste plus the correct management and disposal processes that need to be applied at the University of Reading. Technical Guidance WM3:…
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Let’s Reuse More

From both a financial and an environmental perspective, re-using resources at the University is really important; so we have established various different schemes to help re-use materials, items and equipment.  Find out more about the schemes and how to get involved below: Re-use it with Warp-it Warp-it is an on-line portal for members of staff to help you offer unwanted items to other Schools/Functions; and search for items to claim for business use. or LINK GOES STRAIGHT TO WARP-IT PORTAL Re-use it with UniGreenScheme UniGreenScheme is able to help members of staff find new homes (outside the University) for unwanted…
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Waste Disposal Request, Skips and More…

At the start of August 2025, the Estates Wren system was replaced by a new system called Concerto, so there have been changes to the process for requesting waste disposal collections. All members of staff now have the ability to raise online Waste Disposal Requests via the new FixMy platform within Concerto by clicking on the green Waste Disposal Request Form button at the top of this page. For step-by-step guidance on how to log in to FixMy and use the new Waste Disposal Request Form, you can either scroll down on this page and click on the 'more details'…
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Resource Use, Recycling and Waste

Link to information about our progress towards UN SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production The University’s Environment and Energy Policy (issued in June 2025) includes an overarching commitment to "ensure our waste is carefully managed to minimise the impact on the environment and ensure, as a minimum, statutory obligations are met" and to "promote and facilitate waste segregation and encourage the consideration of the waste hierarchy (reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, dispose); diverting waste away from landfill where possible" (see sections 14-16). It also includes a commitment to "promote sustainable resource management practices and support the purchase of products and services that…
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