Shared recycling points across the Estate encourage the separation of waste therefore increasing the quantity and quality of recycling. Find out what you can dispose of in each bin: Orange: Dry Mixed RecyclingAny recyclable packaging must be free of food leftovers before it is placed into the orange bin. If this is not possible, place in grey General Waste bin.Yes please No thanksRinsed out milk bottlesEmpty drinks bottlesRinsed cans (food or drink)Cardboard (corrugated, cereal boxes, non-plastic coated packaging)Paper (newspapers, office paper, magazines, sticky notes)Envelopes (including window envelopes)NewspapersBooks, catalogues and journalsTetra PakAluminium foil Disposable hot drinks cupsPlastic coated cardboard (e.g. noodle pots, takeaway food boxes, etc)Paper towelsGlitter cards/wrapping paperElectrical equipmentBatteriesCrisp packetsSweet wrappersPolystyreneHard and rigid plastics (window frames, pipes, drums) Containers with food residuesHazardous waste (paint tins, bleach bottles)Padded envelopesSandwich boxes (cardboard/cellophane mix)GlassAerosols and gas canistersPaint, varnish and gluePrinter cartridgesMicrowaveable food traysPlastic packaging strappingBioplasticsAny non-polyethylene film e.g. polypropylene (PP)Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)Cling filmFood and drink pouchesFilm lids from food traysPlastic freezer bagsPlastic bagsPackaging filmsPlastic bags from cerealsPlastic wrappers from mulitpacks of cans and plastic bottlesPlastic wrappers from toilet roll and kitchen rollPlastic magazine and newspaper wrapBubble wrapPlastic bread bagsGrey: General WasteGeneral Waste bins are to be used for any waste that is not suitable for recycling.Yes pleaseNo thanksPaper towelsPolystyreneFood wasteContainers with food residuesCoffee grounds and tea bagsDisposable hot drinks cupsPlastic coated cardboard (e.g. noodle pots, takeaway food boxes, etc) Paper towelsGlitter cards/wrapping paperCrisp packetsSweet wrappersPolystyreneContainers with food residuesPadded envelopesSandwich boxes (cardboard/cellophane mix)Plastic bagsAerosols and gas canistersPaint, varnish and gluePrinter cartridgesElectrical equipmentBatteriesHard and rigid plastics (window frames, pipes, drums)Hazardous waste (paint tins or bleach bottles)Blue: Paper and CardboardPaper and cardboard bins are only supplied where large quantities of paper are produced. If not available, use the orange Dry Mixed Recycling bin.Yes pleaseNo thanksCardboard (corrugated, cereal boxes, non-plastic coated packaging)Paper (newspapers, office paper, magazines, sticky notes)Envelopes (including window envelopes)NewspapersBooks, catalogues and journalsDisposable hot drinks cupsPlastic coated cardboard (e.g. noodle pots, takeaway food boxes, etc)Paper towelsGlitter cards/wrapping paperElectrical equipmentBatteriesBubble wrapCrisp packetsSweet wrappersPolystyreneHard and rigid plastics (window frames, pipes, drums) Containers with food residuesHazardous waste (paint tins or bleach bottles)Padded envelopesAluminium foilSandwich boxes (cardboard/cellophane mix)GlassAerosols and gas canistersPaint, varnish and gluePrinter cartridgesBlue/Green Caddy: GlassGlass caddies are provided in all kitchen and tea-preparation areas.Yes pleaseNo thanksEmpty recyclable clear, brown and green glass bottles and jarsWinchester glass bottlesPyrexWater jugsDrinking glassesCeramic items (e.g. plates, mugs)Green: FoodFood waste bins are located at all cafes across the University. Otherwise, the grey General Waste bin should be used to ensure the recycling bins remain uncontaminated.Yes pleaseNo thanksCooked foodUncooked/raw food Plate scrapingsMeatFruitVegetablesCompostable packagingCompostable disposable drinks cupsBiodegradable plasticsCompostable packaging must not be placed in green Food Waste bins. Compostable packing is required to be processed using in-vessel composting - the University's general waste contractor is not able to utilise this technology due to the scale of food waste they are collecting across the city of Edinburgh. Instead they send all the University's food waste to anaerobic digestion, and compostable packaging cannot be treated in this way and would be removed from the food waste stream (as a contaminant) and sent as refuse-derived fuel. This article was published on 2024-08-05
