Recycling and Waste

Watch your Waste

What can I recycle at UWS?

UWS offers a range of recycling services including paper and cardboard (PDF, 346.29 KB) (opens in a new window), co-mingled (PDF, 253.28 KB) (opens in a new window), printer cartridges, green waste, e-waste and scrap metal.

Please let us know of any recycling initiatives your office is involved in, such as the Office of Engagement and their worm farm (PDF, 79.5 KB) (opens in a new window).

UWS is currently streamlining its waste collection services (PDF, 71.24 KB) (opens in a new window) with a view to decreasing waste to landfill and increase recycling rates.

SURF Projects - Worm Wee for Sustainability

The Sustainable UWS Rolling Fund (SURF) program funds sustainability projects that are developed, managed and implemented by UWS staff and students.

An initiative from the Office of Engagement - Saving 1 tonne of food waste/year along with saving 1.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Please see the video clip below for more details.

SURF Projects - Pulpmaster Hawkesbury Food Science Organic Waste To Energy Pilot

Installation of a Pulpmaster system on a 3 year pilot in Food Science at Hawkesbury. This system will take all food waste and some biowaste and covert via an anaerobic digestic into green electricity. Please see the video clip below for more details.

Implementation of Recycling Bins

Recycling binsCapital Works and Facilities are continuing to roll-out indoor and outdoor waste recycling bins to further reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and increase our recycling. Since 2009 we have reduced the amount of waste sent to landfill by 53%.

The new bins are being installed across the six UWS campuses, particularly in areas adjacent to uwsconnect food outlets and throughout break-out areas, and landscaped precincts.

Public Space Recycling Initiative

The Univeristy has been installing public space dual waste and recycling bins at Bankstown, Penrith and Parramatta in collaboration with the Packaging Stewardship Forum. The aim of the program is to increase UWS community awareness of the program and collect an additional 40 tonnes of PET bottles and aluminium can across the three sites. At the end of 2012 we collected more than the target amount.

Reverse Vending Machine

A reserve vending machine is located on the Campbelltown Campus for staff and students to increase their recycling of plastic bottles.

Mobile Phone Recycling

UWS sends its old mobile phones to Mobile Muster (opens in a new window) for recycling. Mobile Muster is the main recycling program for corporate/business initiative of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association. Mobile Muster crushes the phones and the components are recycled. In 2009 UWS contributed to the planting of native trees to restore precious Cumberland Woodlands in western Sydney just by recycling their old phones. There is a Mobile Muster recycle bin in the IT labs on each campus for staff and students to recycle any mobile phone or accessories or you can send them to Carol Moonie.

Disposal of Computer Equipment

Did you know in 2012 UWS disposed of 11,415.50Kgs of e-waste? 90% of this was diverted from landfill. Information Technology Procurement (ITP) coordinates the disposal of University owned (non-leased) IT assets. If you have e-waste in your unit that requires disposal, please follow the steps required to organise pick up of obsolete equipment.

Privately owned equipment can be recycled through outside businesses. Please see your local government website for further details and dates, or keep an eye on our latest news page (Penrith City Council (opens in a new window), Campbelltown City Council (opens in a new window), Hawkesbury City Council (opens in a new window), Bankstown City Council (opens in a new window), Holroyd City Council (opens in a new window), Blacktown City Council (opens in a new window), Parramatta City Council(opens in a new window)).

Close the Loop

The University is committed to the sustainable operation of its business. In line with this, many of the universities units/schools and offices are utilising the free services of Close the Loop (PDF, 162.76 KB) (open in a new window). In 2012, we recycled over 700 kilograms of printed cartridges across UWS.

Cartridge Recycling

Cartridge recycling is available through Corporate Express and their partners at Cart Collect. Toner cartridges can be easily recycled by dropping them into a specially marked box when they run out. Cart Collect will then collect, sort and dispose of them in an environmentally responsible manner. For every full box collected, Cart Collect will also make a $2 donation to Landcare Australia to be put towards environmental projects across Australia. Collection boxes can be ordered through Corporate Express at no charge using the code 86661340. For more information visit Cart Collect (opens in a new window) or speak to your Account Manager.

Furniture and Other Equipment

Excess office furniture is sold reguarly from our Werrington Campus for a gold coin donation. The money raised goes back into the Student Welfare Fund. Keep your eye out for dates and locations on e-update. In addition you can now sell your excess items on eBay. Why not clean out your cardboards and give some of your old stuff a new lease of life? Contact Rob Daniels for more details. Remeber reduce, reuse, recycle.

Student Residence Recycling Competition

More than 1000 students in all UWS student residences are now involved in an intercampus recycling program and it is neck and neck to see who is the best. Read more on Student Resident Recycling competition (PDF, 95.8 KB) (opens in a new window).

Waste projects at other universities and colleges

Waste SURF projects at other universities and colleges

  • Outdoor Environment Leadership Program- this program has been undertaken at New York University (opens in a new window). Students attend outdoor environmental awareness and development activities. Similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme with a greater educational focus.