Waste

Three recycling bins

Workplace recycling is changing.

From 6 April 2024 it will become law in Wales for all businesses, charities, and public sector organisations to sort their waste for recycling. The Welsh Government is introducing this law to improve the quality and quantity of how we collect and separate waste.

What waste needs to be separated?

To help with the separation of waste, new bins will be installed across the campus as well as updates to existing bins. This will create three separate waste streams in most corridors in buildings across the site where there had previously been two. Dry mixed recycling will become two separate waste streams; Paper/card and Plastic/Metal.

Why recycle?

Biffa is responsible for collecting the university’s general waste and recycling. Biffa supports the Welsh Government’s "Net zero” strategy and aim to improve waste recyclability and recovery rates. Find out more through their guide on the new recycling regulations.

LAS recycling collects glass and food waste. By segregating your food waste, LAS can help reduce the environmental impact of the university and meet sustainability targets as well as reduce collection costs. By segregating glass waste, the university can boost recycling rates and reduce waste management costs simultaneously. Find out more about LAS and their collection service.

 

Follow these guidelines to recycle effectively in classrooms or workspaces, offices, kitchens or foods outlets:

Yes please:

  • Cardboard
  • Office Paper
  • Envelopes
  • Newspapers
  • Brochures & Catalogues
  • Magazines

Yes please:

  • Plastic bottles
  • Plastic pots, tubs & trays
  • Food tins, drinks cans & empty aerosols
  • Clean foil
  • Tetra Park & crisp tubes
  • Coffee cups
  • Food & Drink cartons

Yes please:

  • Stained cardboard & paper
  • Plastic bags & wrapping
  • Crisp packets
  • Kitchen roll & paper towels
  • Chocolate & sweet wrappers
  • Black plastics

Yes please:

  • Tea bags
  • Coffee grounds
  • Fruits & Veg peelings
  • Unwanted leftovers

Yes please:

  • Glass bottles
  • Glass jars

No thank you:

  • Food waste or liquids
  • Jiffy bags, padded or bubble envelopes
  • Bubble wrap
  • Plastic bags or wrapping
  • Food or drink cartons
  • Coffee cups
  • Paper tissues

No thank you:

  • Food waste or liquids
  • Crisp packets
  • Sweet wrappers
  • Black plastics
  • Plastic bags or wrapping
  • Metal cutlery
  • Glass

No thank you:

  • Food waste or liquids 
  • Glass
  • Metals
  • Plastics
  • Food or Drink cartons
  • Coffee cups
  • Cardboard or paper

No thank you:

  • Liquids
  • Packaging
  • Plastic bags or wrapping
  • Coffee cups
  • Kitchen roll or paper towels

No thank you:

  • Drinking glasses
  • Pyrex
  • Flat glass
  • Broken glass
  • Plastic bottles or jars
  • Corks

 

Recycling Questions

Have you ever gone to throw something away and suddenly realised you're not sure which bin you should use? Use our FAQ's below to help you choose the best bin for your rubbish. 

If you have any further questions, please email the Facilities team on facilities@aber.ac.uk. 

Can I recycle a disposable coffee cup like those from Starbucks? What about the coffee cup lids?

Yes – these should be placed into plastic/metal/cartons bins 

Can broken glass be recycled?

No – do not place broken glass into glass recycling as it can be dangerous to collectors when they collect them. Instead, put the broken glass into a box and place the box into general waste. 

Does shredded paper go into paper recycling?

Shredded paper can be collected by our team of porters along with confidential waste.

Please contact facilities@aber.ac.uk to arrange pick up.

Where can I put unneeded clothes?

Clothes should be placed into the designated clothing donation points around campus unless they contain residues or are contaminated by waste substances, then they should be placed into general waste. 

Where should plastic bags be placed?

Plastic bags should be placed into general waste not plastic recycling. 

What should I do with black plastic from ready meals?

Black plastic food trays should be placed into general waste not plastic recycling. 

Can liquids such as yoghurt and milk go into food waste?

No – food waste does not include waste that is mixed with liquid intended for human consumption. 

Where do nail varnish bottles go?

They should be placed into general waste, not glass recycling. 

Can I place sweet and biscuit wrappers into plastic recycling?

No – these need to go into general waste. 

If in doubt?

Observe the backing boards found on most bins for instruction on what to do with waste and recyclable material, to avoid misplacing any material into the wrong bins.