Environmental Sustainability Report - University of Oxford

University of Oxford Environmental Sustainability Report 2010/117Waste, recycling and reuseIn 2010/11 the University’s preferredwaste contractors collected a total3,168.38 tonnes of non-hazardouswaste. Of this, 1,792.53t went tolandfill and 653.32t was recycled,which included mixed recycling (543.87t);baled cardboard (59.53t); separateglass collections (29.12t) and separatefood waste collections (20.8t). Inaddition to the general recycling, variousunwanted materials were collectedfor reuse or recycling (outlined in thefollowing paragraphs).Pie chart showing total wastecollected in 2010/11Waste to landfill1,792.53tGeneralrecycling653.32tReused (SwapShop) 93.81tTOTAL:3,168.38tConfidentialpaper 30tBuilding &constructionwaste 597tPrintercartridges1.71tPrinter cartridgesand confidential paperIn addition to general waste and recycling,1,834 printer and toner cartridges(1.71t) were recycled through theUniversity’s preferred printer cartridgerecyclers (1.398t were reused; 307kgwere recycled and 12kg were landfilled).In addition to general waste and recycling,the University recycled 30t of itsconfidential shredded paper waste.Building and construction wasteIn addition to general waste and recycling,the John Radcliffe Hospital refurbishment forteaching and administration diverted 597tof building and construction waste fromlandfill in 2010/11– recycling plasterboard,timber and metal (100%); cardboard andpaper (98%) and plastic (96%).We published a WasteManagement StrategyThe University will implement its recentlypublished Waste Management Strategyfrom 2012 onwards. The strategy aimsto reduce, reuse and recycle unwantedmaterials generated by the Universityand minimise waste to landfill.Virtual Swap ShopIn 2010/11 the University reused 93.81tof furniture, stationery and laboratoryequipment in-house through its virtualSwap Shop (this saved the University anestimated £37,000 from not having tobuy new items).www.admin.ox.ac.uk/estates/environment/ecofinanceandswapshopWe set up a virtual Plant SwapDue to the success of Swap Shop, we setup a virtual Plant Swap – a give and takescheme for college gardeners, Universitygrounds management staff and studentswho are looking for free seeds, plants,garden tools and equipment.We set up free book recyclingThe University set up a free bookreuse scheme with Oxfam Bookshop(Oxfam resells the books).We’ll improve our data captureThe University will improve its wastedata capture so that it can report onall of its waste, recycling and reusemore accurately.We’ll implement the WasteManagement StrategyThe University will implement itsWaste Management Strategy acrossthe University departments.We’ll expand our reuse schemesThe popularity of the University SwapShop and Plant Swap shows that thereis lots of potential to reuse more itemsin the University – we’ll aim to expandon these in 2012.