Waste management
UEL is committed to reducing waste and its environmental impact by managing resources responsibly and applying the waste hierarchy across all our operations.
We continue to improve waste and recycling facilities across our campuses and encourage positive behaviour change to help ensure waste is disposed of correctly.
A wide range of materials can be recycled on campus, including paper, cardboard, food packaging, cans, plastic bottles, batteries, electrical items, ink and toner cartridges, and glass.
Waste streams on campus
We monitor and report waste generated across several categories, including:
- General waste
- Mixed recycling
- Food waste
- Paper and cardboard
- Glass
- Clinical waste
- Electronic waste (WEEE)
- Confidential waste
- Garden waste
- Construction waste
What happens to our waste?
We work with Veolia Environmental Services to manage waste and recycling across our campuses.
Recyclable materials are collected, sorted and processed to maximise recycling rates, while non-recyclable waste is used for energy recovery. This approach helps us increase recycling, reduce landfill waste and measure our progress more effectively.
At both Stratford and Docklands campuses, twin-stream bins make it easy to separate recycling from general waste.
Our targets
We aim to increase recycling rates by 3% year on year.
Our waste and recycling performance, targets and initiatives are reported annually through our Annual Sustainability Report.
Waste initiatives
Food waste bins
In January 2026, UEL introduced 7.5-litre food waste caddies across student residences, staff kitchens and selected communal spaces. The clearly labelled bins make food waste recycling easier, helping to improve recycling rates, reduce carbon emissions and lower waste management costs.
Ditch the disposables
We encourage staff and students to replace single-use cups and food containers with reusable alternatives. Discounts are available when using reusable cups and containers, and reusable food containers can be purchased and returned through participating campus catering outlets.
Reusable food and drink packaging
Through our partnership with Vytal, reusable coffee cups and food containers can be borrowed free of charge from participating food outlets and returned to collection points across campus.
UEL Reuse Network
The UEL Reuse Network on Microsoft Teams helps staff and students share, donate and exchange unwanted items. Popular items include books, clothing, furniture, household goods and stationery.
Pack for Good
Working with the British Heart Foundation, the Residential Life Team collects unwanted items from students during move-out periods and throughout the year. In 2024–25, the campaign diverted six tonnes of waste from landfill and generated £11,190 in donated stock.
Furniture reuse
UEL prioritises reusing furniture wherever possible. In 2023, the Projects and Estates Development Team donated 1,681 items of furniture, with an estimated value of more than £106,000, to charities, schools and community organisations.
Freecycle Hubs
Freecycle Hubs across campus provide a place for students and staff to donate and collect reusable items free of charge. Three hubs currently operate across UEL campuses.
Waste audits
We carry out regular waste audits to understand disposal habits, identify contamination issues and improve recycling performance. Findings inform training for staff, faculties and waste management teams.
Hydration stations
We are expanding access to water refill points across campus to reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles and encourage reusable alternatives.
Repair and reuse events
Throughout the year, we organise repair events covering electrical items, bicycles and textiles. Weekly sewing and mending workshops are also held at the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability and are open to staff, students and the local community.