Waste
Birkbeck produces a considerable amount of waste each year. While waste does not contribute much to our overall carbon footprint, we still need to consider how we purchase, use, and dispose of products to reduce our wider environmental impacts.
The carbon footprint of waste disposal is calculated from the energy use associated with transporting waste from your site to a waste facility, and with any emissions from items sent to landfill. Where waste is recycled, incinerated for energy, or composted / anaerobically digested, the emissions from these processes are associated with the end users of the products or energy created from the recycled or incinerated waste.
Waste footprints have decreased significantly in the last two years as many major waste companies have begun to switch their vehicle fleets from petrol and diesel to electric, reducing the amount of fossil fuels used in waste disposal processes.
| All figures in tonnes (Aug-Jul) | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recycling | 50.6 | 68.9 | 66.2 |
| Incineration (energy from waste) | 46.8 | 57.1 | 43.4 |
| Anaerobic digestion | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18.6 |
| Landfill | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Total waste (tonnes) | 109.4 | 134.5 | 128.3 |
Most areas on our campuses will have two bins (recycling and general waste) with an additional third bin for food waste in some areas. Where glass waste occurs, a glass-only bin will also be provided.
In line with the 2025 Simpler Recycling legislation, we have recently introduced new food waste bins in all kitchenettes and student lounges for both staff and students. This is in addition to the existing food waste collections in our catering operations.
These can be used as below:
| Recycling | General Waste | Food Waste |
|---|---|---|
| Clean, empty plastic bottles and packaging | Packaging made of mixed materials e.g. sandwich packets that include both cardboard and plastic | Food scraps and plate scrapings e.g. fruit peels, leftovers, chicken bones |
| Clean, empty aluminium food and drink cans | Contaminated/dirty packaging | Coffee grounds |
| Clean aluminium foil and trays | Plastic film e.g. plastic bags, clingfilm | Tea bags |
| Clean paper and card | Crisp and chocolate wrappers | Mouldy or out-of-date food |
| Newspapers and magazines | Coffee cups | Any type of food is OK (cooked or raw) |
| Empty cartons such as fruit juice cartons | Paper napkins/serviettes | |
| Empty aerosol cans |
Further recycling
New guidance has been developed to help staff dispose of hard-to-recycle items, and is available on Birkbeck’s intranet, covering waste streams such as chemicals, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), batteries, furniture, and printer cartridges, among others.
Birkbeck’s waste management policy and guidance can be seen here: Waste Management Policy and Guidance Document