Recycling

Guidance on waste and recycling

Understanding what you can and can’t recycle on campus goes a long way toward helping Heriot-Watt University be more sustainable. Recycling can seem a complex topic, but there are a few rules of thumb that you can follow to get it right.

Bins

Look out for recycling bins and rubbish bins on campus. Indoors, we mostly have the double-sided bins with a green opening for dry mixed recycling, and a black opening for general waste. Outdoors, we have triple blue metal bins for glass, dry mixed recycling, and general waste.

What goes in the dry mixed recycling?

Robust materials which are made from one component, like cardboard, plastic bottles/boxes, and cans. They must be clean and dry.

What goes in the glass bin?

Glass only please – no non-glass lids, bags etc.

What goes in the food waste bin?

If you have a food waste bin where you work or stay, please ensure that only food scraps go into the bin. No packaging, paper or ‘compostable’ coffee cups – these are only able to be composted industrially and are not suitable for the food waste bin.

What goes in the general waste?

General waste is for rubbish that can’t be recycled, like packaging made of multiple materials, e.g. a plastic-lined paper bag or a crisp packet.

Soft materials, like plastic film, carrier bags, paper tissues and snack bar wrappers.

Dirty things, e.g. a pizza box which has absorbed oil (rip the clean bits off and recycle them!)

Why can’t I recycle these things?

Items made of multiple materials: Normal recycling facilities can’t process these as they need to be separated down into their constituent parts to be recycled. This is generally more resource-intensive than incinerating them.

Soft materials: such as cling film, can damage the recycling plant machinery.

Dirty items: residue can absorb into cardboard and paper in the recycling bin, and ruin them to the point where they can no longer be recycled. Also, dirt can damage recycling machines.

Our recycling carrier can separate out some non-recyclables if a small amount do make their way into the recycling bin. However, if they find our recycling bins to be too contaminated then they process the whole thing as general waste. This is not very sustainable and it wastes everyone’s efforts to recycle!

The goal is to avoid contamination of the recycling with non-recyclable waste and – the particularly ruinous - food scraps and liquids.

What if I’m not sure?

Another way to be sure about what you are recycling is to check on the packaging, if it is printed with labels, for these clues:

Widely recycled

Over 75% of the UK recycles this - likely recycled in Edinburgh.

Not yet recycled

Put this in the general waste.

Check locally

This probably can be recycled, but not in the normal dry mixed recycling. Hang onto it, put it in the general waste but don’t contaminate the recycling bin!

Mobius Loop

The Mobius Loop – this generally means the product can be recycled, but if unsure check locally!

Green Dot

This does not mean that a product is recyclable, so look for another label. This symbol means that the manufacturer has made a financial contribution toward recycling of the material in Europe.

If - even after you have read this guidance diligently - you’re unsure if something is recyclable or not, put it in the general waste.

Keep liquids and waste out of the recycling bins by cleaning your recyclables where possible, and placing them in the black bin when it is not possible.

How can I be even better?

Avoid waste by bringing your own (clean!) coffee cup, cutlery, and containers to work.

Outdoor recycling and general waste disposal locations

Bin locations can be found on this map, created by Heriot-Watt University’s Eco Society.

What happens to our waste?

General waste – the majority of our general (black bin) waste goes to Millerhill Energy from Waste centre I the east of Edinburgh. Essentially, it gets incinerated and the resulting heat produces steam which drives a turbine which produces electricity. The gases produced during combustion are cleaned to remove pollutants. Of course, combustion produces emissions – 250-600 kg CO2/tonne of waste processed. Learn more about generating energy from waste.

Dry Mixed Recycling and Glass - These are sorted at Biffa’s sorting plant at Broxburn and sold to different re-processors. Plastics are recycled by Biffa Polymers; aluminium cans are recycled by Novelis who operate the UK’s only can recycling plant in Warrington; paper and card are sold to a range of companies and steel cans sold to scrap metal dealers.

Food waste – this goes to the Biogen plant at Millerhill. Read more about anaerobic digestion.

For more info on how other types of waste are recycled, see Biffa’s website.

Let’s look at some common materials. Can I recycle…

Specialist household waste

Specialist Commercial Waste

Having a clear-out; got materials which are no longer of use or equipment which is coming up to the end of its life? Think before you skip! Contact Robbie Fraser in Estates to coordinate this.

Recycling points