Recycling and waste
The University understands the importance of creating and maintaining a sustainable environment for staff, students and the neighbouring community and as such adopts the waste hierarchy in its Waste and Resource Management Strategy (launched in 2008).
It recognises that as a priority waste should be prevented, minimised, reused, recycled and recovered for energy before disposal to landfill and subsequently sets targets for waste minimisation, recycling and diversion from landfill.
The University closely manages its waste on site and provides facilities dependant on the location eg those in the catering outlets are purposely different from those in residential accommodation. There are segregated facilities for paper, plastics, tins and food and specialist facilities for items such as batteries, printer cartridges and textiles. The University aims to ensure that all general non-recyclable waste facilities are located next to recycling facilities and as such under-the-desk bins have been removed.
The College Lane campus has a waste yard and dedicated yard manager who collects, transports, weighs, bails and compacts recyclable and non-recyclable waste from the campus allowing for closer monitoring and improved performance. In addition waste porters assist with further waste segregation, eg from office moves.
Various awareness campaigns take place to encourage improved segregation for example waste awareness days, visits to the Materials Recycling Facility, contractor roadshows, quizzes and waste sorts.
Performance has improved significantly since the launch of the waste strategy with recycling rates more than doubling from 32% in 2007/08 to 81% in 2011/12. In addition to improved recycling rates, waste production per head reduced by 9% between 2008/09 and 2009/10 and in order to further reduce the environmental impact of waste production, the University is increasing focus on waste prevention and minimisation.
The University's improved performance in waste management has been recognised with the following awards:
- Green Gown Award in 2009
- Hertfordshire Green Business Awards in 2010 and 2011
- Green Apple Award in 2011