From 1 February 2024, new national standards to kerbside bin collections are in place, which means a consistent approach to how we sort recycling, organics and rubbish across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The new national standards have bought about some changes to what is accepted in what bin on campus.
| Item | Now goes in |
Empty pizza boxes (without food scraps) | Recycling | Hangarua |
| Tea bags | Landfill | Para |
| Soiled paper (including dirty napkins) | Landfill | Para |
| All takeaway packaging, including any food/drink containers marked "compostable" or "bioplastic". This includes coffee cups. | Landfill | Para |
All staff and students can make a difference by sorting their waste correctly to minimise the contamination of our waste streams.
It is extremely important that all food, food scraps and organic material are placed in the green organics bin, and not in the red landfill bins.
Learn more about waste management and minimisation at UC below.
Lids
If you would like to recycle your lids, a team at the Ernest Rutherford building has developed an amazing lid recycling station. Items collected here go to various specific recycling streams. The station is located in the foyer of Ernest Rutherford at the south entrance.
From the environmental impacts of waste to how to sort your recycling, check out our waste FAQs.
From the environmental impacts of waste to how to sort your recycling, check out our waste FAQs.
Food and organic waste generated at UC is taken offsite and made into compost. You can put all your food scraps and organic material in the green organics wheelie bins and small bench top containers in staff kitchens. Learn more about composting at UC.
Food and organic waste generated at UC is taken offsite and made into compost. You can put all your food scraps and organic material in the green organics wheelie bins and small bench top containers in staff kitchens. Learn more about composting at UC.
You can divert items from landfill in the different dedicated bins provided on campus. Make sure you know what goes in which bin.
You can divert items from landfill in the different dedicated bins provided on campus. Make sure you know what goes in which bin.
Any time is a great time to join the plastic-free movement! Learn more about plastic-free July at UC, including opportunities to learn new skills, make low-waste products, and give back to the community.
Any time is a great time to join the plastic-free movement! Learn more about plastic-free July at UC, including opportunities to learn new skills, make low-waste products, and give back to the community.
A free table is typically in an area where there's high foot traffic. Surplus items are placed on these tables for students and staff to repurpose or recycle. Free tables provide a great way to keep perfectly usable items out of landfill, and help each other out by giving things away. Find out more about free tables at UC.
A free table is typically in an area where there's high foot traffic. Surplus items are placed on these tables for students and staff to repurpose or recycle. Free tables provide a great way to keep perfectly usable items out of landfill, and help each other out by giving things away. Find out more about free tables at UC.
Learn how UC is supporting our community to reduce waste through education, research, and practical activities.
Learn how UC is supporting our community to reduce waste through education, research, and practical activities.
For any queries about these changes, please contact Sustainability Office.
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Direct dial: 0800 823 637
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