Dedicated recycling streams

Paper and cardboard

Our single largest waste stream is office paper and cardboard, of which around 95% is recycled. Most offices and some labs have dedicated paper recycling bins to keep office paper clean and contamination free. This ensures it can be recycled back into high grade paper. While paper placed in the comingled bins and contaminated is recycled into a lower grade product such as tissues. Recycling paper helps save trees, water and energy, and reduces greenhouse gases and chemical use.

E-waste

E-waste includes any electronic equipment such as computers, phones, TVs, video games, etc. This type of equipment often contains toxic materials that should be kept out of landfill. Some items also include small traces of rare and valuable minerals.  UTS recycles the following e-waste;

Computers

Most of the university’s computers are leased and returned to the leasing company for end-of-life recycling. Computers, printers, audio-visual and science equipment owned by UTS is redeployed where possible within the university. If equipment can't find a new home, it is offered for sale. Some gets donated to charity, and obsolete or broken equipment is sent for recycling through Central Services with a recycling rate of over 98%. Drop off e-waste at the recycling point on level 2 of building 1 (beside printing). 

Toner cartridges

Office cartridges are generally recycled through the supplier lease contracts. Cartridges can also be dropped-off for recycling at the Planet Ark recycling collection box at Printing Services on level 2 of building 1.

Batteries and mobile phones

Foyer of the Science building showing bin and battery recycling tube

Recycling drop-off tubes for disposable batteries and mobile phones are in the following prominent locations around campus;

  • Building 1 concierge desk level 4, and UTS Students' Association office Level 3
  • Building 1 level 2 central services office
  • Building 3 media store
  • Building 4 security desk
  • Building 6 level 4 student kitchen
  • Building 7, level 3 (security desk)
  • Building 8, level 2 (Ultimo Rd entrance)
  • Building 10 atrium foyer
  • Building 11, level 2 (Jones St entrance)

Fluoro tubes and lamps

Fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs contain mercury which can be toxic in landfill. UTS recycles all fluoro tubes and is a member of the national Fluorocycle program.

A large recycling bin is located on level 2 of building 1, beside the Central Services office. Mercury containing lamps are crushed, the material sorted into individual components, such as glass, aluminium, other metals, plastics and the mercury containing phosphor powder. All elements are collected and recycled.

Construction waste

Over 90% of our construction waste gets recycled. A skip bin is available on level 2 of building 1 for small quantities. Staff wanting to arrange collection of large volumes should contact Central Services. Major building projects have their own recycling processes specific to each site. Staff working on these projects should contact the relevant project manager. 

Polystyrene recycling

UTS accumulates 4-6 cubic metres of polystyrene each week, approximately 300 cubic meters per year (mostly from packaging). Polystyrene can take more than 200 years to degrade in landfill so recycling is important.  

We have two Hungry Giant polystyrene compactors on campus which:

  • Allows compacted styrene to be diverted from landfill to recycling
  • Reduces the volume to approximately 5% of its original
  • Decreases greenhouse gas emissions associated with collection and transport
  • Minimises the space needed for storage, with fewer OH&S risks
  • Lowers waste removal costs per volume

The compacted blocks are recycled into plastics.

Collection points
Clean polystyrene waste can be delivered to the following points:

  • Buildings 1 & 2 - carpark on level 2. Collection bags located near central services office
  • Building 5 - collection bags in the carpark
  • Building 8 - collection bag on the carpark level 1
  • Building 10 - collection bags in the carpark, Wattle St end
  • For one-off large volumes contact the Central Services office.

Food waste

At UTS we treat food scraps like gold. Food waste from cafes and office kitchens gets collected separately and approximately 300 kgs per day is processed on campus in two dehydrator machines to make soil conditioner. In 2021 we processed 94,600 kg on campus. It is important not to contaminate the green bins. Only food scraps and biodegradable material like tea bags, flowers and plant clippings go in the green food bins.

Compostable bin

UTS is on a journey to phase out single-use plastics. The food court in building 2 is plastic free, where all take-away food packaging is compostable. The maroon bins in the food court are for food scraps and all food packaging sold within the food court. More details here 

Furniture

We try to reuse furniture where ever possible. Staff can use the Warpit system to locate internal furniture to re-use, via UTS Central Services. Excess items are sent to auction, donated to not-for-profit organisations, and what’s remaining is sent for recycling. 

For more information contact the Central Services office. 

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.