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Waste and recycling

We are committed to minimising waste and maximising reuse and recycling across campus, embedding sustainable practices into our everyday operations and initiatives to create a more environmentally responsible future.

Our goal is to produce as little general domestic waste as possible, with the long-term objective of becoming a zero-waste university.

Waste minimisation

We encourage staff and students to reduce waste by reusing and repurposing items wherever possible. To support this, we provide several initiatives:

  • Swap Shops  – we have dedicated Viva Engage groups for staff and students to exchange items they no longer need, and have hosted in-person events such as a collaboration with Working Wardrobe, which helps to keep useful resources in circulation
  • Warp It – a platform for staff to give away or swap furniture and other office items, reducing unnecessary disposal and promoting reuse
People attend a Working Wardrobe event and stand in front of a selection of clothes to borrow.
A swap-shop event with Working Wardrobe

These initiatives help us to cut down on waste, save resources, and contribute to a more sustainable campus. Where general waste cannot be avoided, we will endeavour to divert it from landfill and instead send it to Cardiff’s Energy from Waste incineration plant, where it is treated as fuel.

Recycling

To support our waste minimisation journey, centralised waste and recycling facilities are available throughout campus buildings.

Man placing plastic into recycling bin

Our recycling and disposal processes follow the Welsh Government’s Separate Collection of Waste Materials for Recycling Code of Practice. Wales is ranked second in the world for recycling, and we are proud to contribute to this achievement.

You can find more information on Wales Recycles, including:

  • how to recycle different materials at Cardiff University
  • what happens to your recycling in Wales
  • tips to improve your recycling rates on campus and at home

If you are a member of staff or a student, you can also access the intranet for detailed guidance on waste management and recycling, including instructions on how to correctly dispose of different types of waste.