Waste IT, electrical and electronic items are referred to as WEEE waste.
WEEE stands for “waste electrical and electronic equipment,” as a general rule it is anything that gets plugged in, is wired into an electrical source or has a battery.
Can I put any WEEE waste into the general waste bins?
You are now legally required not to put WEEE waste into the general waste stream, the black bins around Campus.
The Waste Separation Requirements (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 require workplaces to present small waste electrical and electronic equipment separately for collection and onward recycling from April 2026. This regulation is part of a broader set of mandatory workplace recycling laws in Wales, which have been designed to ensure that waste is managed in a manner that promotes high quality recycling.
How do I dispose of WEEE waste?
For small items such as keyboards, computer mice or calculators – drop them off at the Hugh Owen Library where they will be assessed for reuse or recycling.
For larger items such as computer screens or base stations, fridges or for larger quantities of items, contact Facilities to come and collect them. These items are also assessed for reuse or recycling.
- While you are waiting on Facilities collecting these items, you must keep them in a locked area to ensure they are complaint with data protection processes.
- Make sure that no components are removed from the University equipment before it is collected. Technicians who repurpose equipment as part of their role will breakdown the kit for reuse as appropriate.
If you have assets worth in excess of £10 000, you must complete a “Useful Forms” and return this to the finance department before disposal.
What Happens to WEEE waste?
WEEE waste is initially collected and assessed for reuse.
When staff IT equipment is collected, ITS ensures it is handled securely and responsibly. All items are first brought to a restricted‑access, CCTV‑monitored area where authorised IT staff assess them for reuse, repairs, or spare parts. Working devices are redeployed within the University wherever possible, useful components are removed to help upgrade or keep other systems running. Any equipment that still has resale or refurbishment value may be passed to approved recycling partners. Items that cannot be reused internally are transferred to our accredited WEEE disposal contractor, who provides secure DIAL‑rated transport for data‑bearing devices. They carry out certified data wiping or physical destruction as required, before refurbishing suitable items or recovering materials through specialist recycling channels. This process ensures that data protection, environmental responsibilities and Duty of Care requirements are fully met, while reducing waste, supporting sustainability and ensuring the University gains maximum value from its IT assets
Other items such as fridges, microwaves, kettles and toasters from halls of residence are collected by LAS Recycling and taken to their waste transfer station to maximise the amount of material recycled.
