Recycling and Waste A-Z

Aluminium foil – Scrunch up used foil into a ball approximately the size of a tennis ball before placing it in the mixed recycling bin to ensure it is recycled correctly. 

Animal carcasses – Dispose of via Sharpsmart. Contact SSmit@Sharpsmart.co.uk

Asbestos – If you suspect you have asbestos to dispose of, please contact the Estate Management Helpdesk on ext. 37784.

Biohazardous waste – 

• Contact Procurement Services for contract-related queries. 

• Reach out to Sharpsmart for day-to-day collection queries. 

• Consult the BioSafety Team for practical disposal advice. 

Books – Donate unwanted books (academic or otherwise) to Simply Textbook (simplytextbook.co.uk), or to local charity shops. 

Bottles (chemicals and solvents) – Empty, decontaminated bottles can go in mixed recycling bins. Contaminated bottles must be disposed of via Tradebe. 

Bottles (plastic) – Ensure they are empty before placing them in mixed recycling bins.

Brochures – Place these in the paper/card recycling bin.

Bubble wrap – Not widely recyclable. Avoid using bubble wrap where possible, or reuse it. Dispose of in the non-recycling bin if no other options are available.

Carrier bags – Not widely recyclable. Opt for durable, reusable bags instead. Dispose of unwanted carrier bags in the non-recycling bin. 

CDs – Shredstation or Restore Technology can securely dispose of CDs and other media. This service is chargeable to the department. For details, contact Jamie Brittain in Facilities Management. 

Chemicals – Visit the Safety Office website for guidance. This includes water treatment chemicals, biocides, and other residues. To arrange collection, contact UK.UoC@tradebe.com or use the WEEE via TradeBe form.

Cleaning materials – Opt for reusable or refillable cleaning products to reduce waste. Empty cleaning bottles can be placed in mixed recycling bins. 

Cling film – Not widely recyclable. Dispose of it in the non-recycling bin. 

Clinical waste – Refer to the Safety Office website for guidance. 

Coffee capsules – Check with your supplier for a dedicated recycling scheme. As a last resort, place capsules in the non-recycling bin. Consider switching to a bean-to-cup coffee machine to reduce waste. 

Coffee cups (paper) – Paper cups contain plastic linings. Dispose of them in the non-recycling bin. 

Cold packs/freezer packs – Reuse where possible or advertise them on WarpIt. For disposal, check the materials with the manufacturer and consult the Safety Office if necessary. Plastic covers should be placed in the non-recycling bin. 

Compostable packaging (e.g., Vegware) – Empty contents into the food bin and dispose of the packaging in the non-recycling bin. Compostable packaging should not go into food waste bins as it is removed at the processing facility and landfilled.  

Computer equipment – Advertise usable but unwanted devices on WarpIt. All Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) must be disposed of via Restore Technology. This service is free for departments. Fill out the IT WEEE Collection Form on the Estates Waste & Recycling webpage. 

Confidential waste – Facilities Management (Facilities.Management@admin.cam.ac.uk) provides a confidential paper recycling service. Ensure compliance with the waste duty of care if your department uses an external supplier. 

Construction waste – Departments must ensure contractors remove construction waste from sites. Inert waste can be taken to reclamation yards, builders’ merchants, or salvage companies like Solopark Plc in Pampisford. Contact your EM Project Manager for guidance on compliance with Site Waste Management Plans. 

Crisp packets – Empty contents into the food bin and place the packet in the non-recycling bin. 

Crockery – Reusable crockery can be listed on WarpIt or donated to charity shops. Non-reusable crockery should go in the non-recycling bin.

Discs – Use Shredstation or Restore Technology for secure disposal. Contact Jamie Brittain in Facilities Management for details. 

Drink cans – Empty and place in mixed recycling bins. 

Disposable cutlery – Avoid single-use cutlery in favour of reusable alternatives. Dispose of disposable cutlery in the non-recycling bin.

Envelopes – Place in the paper/card recycling bin.

First Aid Equipment – InterCare, a charity, can accept healthcare goods provided they have at least six months before their expiry date. A simple registration form must be completed before sending items via post. More information is available at InterCare. 

Fluorescent Tubes – Fluorescent tubes, UV lamps, mercury lamps, and sodium lamps are classified as hazardous waste. These should only be disposed of via the University’s official hazardous waste route. Collection coffins and designated points are available on most sites. For details or to arrange a collection, email uk.uoc@tradebe.com with the approximate quantity. 

Food Waste (Including Tea Bags) – Place all food waste, including tea bags, in the designated food waste bin. 

Fridges/Freezers – To arrange a collection, email uk.uoc@tradebe.com. Ensure any necessary decontamination procedures for non-domestic appliances have been completed, and attach the appropriate Health and Safety Officer form directly to the appliance. 

Furniture 
Reuse is encouraged through the University’s internal reuse platform, Warp It. 
If reuse is not possible, here are companies that collect furniture: 

• Collecteco

• Crown Workspace

• Reyooz

• Rype

• Workscape

Furniture beyond repair should not be placed in trade bins but disposed of via a skip. Facilities Management can assist in arranging skip hire, including a Persistent Organic Pollutant skip at Laundry Farm to minimise disposal costs. 
Note: Waste produced by University departments is classified as 'trade waste' and cannot be taken to household waste and recycling centers. 
Ensure the following when disposing of furniture: 

1. Obtain appropriate paperwork from the waste removal service to fulfill the University's duty of care and prevent fly-tipping. 

2. Follow departmental procedures for asset disposal, particularly for high-value items.

Glass

• No chemical or biological contamination, not broken, not borosilicate – Place in glass, metal, plastic recycling bin
• No chemical or biological contamination, not broken, borosilicate – Place in non-recycling bin
• No chemical or biological contamination, broken – Can be placed inside a cardboard glass disposal container and put in the non-recycling bin
• Chemically or biological contaminated glass – use appropriate contract for either chemical or clinical waste

Gloves (Non-Contaminated) – Dispose of non-contaminated gloves in the non-recycling bin.

Hazardous Chemical Waste 
For disposal and related queries, contact: 

• Procurement Services for contract-related questions. 

• Tradebe for day-to-day service inquiries. 

• Chemical Safety Team for technical or safety concerns about hazardous chemical waste or hazardous WEEE disposal.

Ice Packs – Refer to guidance under Cold Packs. 

Ink Cartridges – Refer to guidance under Printer Cartridges. 

IT Equipment – Refer to guidance under Computer Equipment.

Lab Equipment (Misc.) 
Equipment no longer in use that is not classified as hazardous and complies with fire regulations should be offered to other University departments via the internal reuse platform, Warp It. The University's Equipment Sharing Project also enables sharing of underused equipment. 

For unused, obsolete, or broken lab equipment occupying valuable space, UniGreenScheme provides a removal and resale service. They collaborate directly with departments, collect and store items, resell them, and share a portion of the proceeds. 

Old or broken electrical lab equipment must be disposed of through the WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) route. Use the relevant forms available on the University’s waste webpage. 

Lightbulbs 
Different types of lighting require specific disposal methods: 

• Fluorescent lighting (glass tubes and compact fluorescent lamps): Contains mercury and must be disposed of as hazardous waste via Tradebe. Most University sites have coffin boxes for these bulbs. 

• Filament bulbs: Dispose of in non-recycling bins. Wrap securely to prevent injury to waste operatives in case of breakage. 

• LED lights: Classified as electronic waste and must be disposed of using the Domestic WEEE less than 25kg form (Doc).

M

Magazines and Catalogues– Dispose of these in the paper/card bin. 

Media – For secure disposal of hard drives and data tapes, contact Shred Station or Restore Technology. This is a chargeable service billed to the department. For more information, reach out to Jamie Brittain in Facilities Management. 

Metal – To organise a metal skip, contact Facilities Management. Be cautious of businesses offering free scrap metal collection—verify their documentation via the Environment Agency's public register. 

Mobile Phones – The University's IT waste contractor can recycle mobile phones. Use the IT WEEE Collection form (Doc). Alternatively, defunct phones can be donated to charities like Little Lives Children’s Charity.

Newspaper – Dispose of newspapers in the paper/card bins.

Oil – Waste engine oil, machinery oil, or waste fuel oil produced by the University is classified as hazardous waste. It should be stored carefully in compliance with relevant legislation. To dispose of oil, contact UK.UoC@tradebe.com. Oily rags, oil drums, and other oil-contaminated items are also hazardous and should be treated accordingly.

Paint – Community RePaint (https://communityrepaint.org.uk) is an award-winning initiative that redistributes usable paints to those in need, preventing unnecessary landfill. The nearest scheme is in March. Note: they do not accept paint thinners, strippers, varnishes, wood stains, or specialist paints. Paint 360 is another disposal option. 

If the paint is oil-based and in liquid form, it may be classified as hazardous waste due to its flammability. In this case, dispose of it as chemical waste via UK.UoC@tradebe.com. Ensure that containers are tightly sealed. 

To simplify disposal, separate water-based and oil-based paint wastes. Water-based paints are generally non-hazardous unless otherwise specified on the label. Dried or empty containers with water-based paint should be disposed of in the non-recycling bins. 

Paint Tins – If the packaging previously contained hazardous materials (e.g., paint tins, oil drums), dispose of them as hazardous waste via UK.UoC@tradebe.com. If thoroughly cleaned, they may be disposed of as non-hazardous waste in non-recycling bins, but the wash-water must be disposed of as hazardous waste. 

Pallets – Pallet skips are available at the following locations: Island site Addenbrookes, Old Addenbrookes site, Downing Site, Sidgwick Site, and West Cambridge site. A code is required to access these skips; please contact Facilities Management at facilities.management@admin.cam.ac.uk. 

Paper – Use the paper/card recycling bins for paper waste. 

Paper Towels – To be disposed of in the non-recycling bin.

Pens – Pens should be disposed of in the non-recycling bin. 

Pesticides – Unused pesticides, diluted pesticides, sprayer washings, and empty containers are hazardous chemical waste and should be disposed of via UK.UoC@tradebe.com. Minimise pesticide waste by estimating quantities in advance. Check with the supplier to see if they will accept return of empty containers; otherwise, thoroughly rinse and dispose of them as hazardous waste. 

Photographic Materials – Photographic processing generates a variety of chemical waste, which should be disposed of as chemical waste via UK.UoC@tradebe.com. 

Plastic – The best strategy is to reduce plastic use at the source. Consider switching to reusable alternatives or work with suppliers to reduce packaging. Some suppliers offer take-back schemes, including: 

• Pipette Tip Wafers and Racks: Departments using disposable pipette tips can recycle the plastic wafers and racks. These are ground into polypropylene pellets and reused. STARLAB UK offers free collection containers and arrangements. A poster and bin label for this scheme are available. 

• Expanded Polystyrene Boxes: New England Biolabs provides free return labels for these items. 

• Coffee Pods: Nespresso offers 'take-back' collections for coffee machine pods. 

For general plastics: 

• Plastic Bags/Wrap: Non-recycling bin. 

• Plastic Bottles: Mixed recycling bin. 

• Polystyrene: Non-recycling bin. 

• Post-it Notes: Non-recycling bin. 

Printer Cartridges – Integrated printer cartridges can be collected with printers through the University’s approved IT items-only collection service with Restore Technology. Use the IT WEEE Collection form (Doc).

Refurbishment waste – If you have a building clearance, decant, refurbishment, or decommissioning project, you can add surplus assets to the University's Warp It system for redistribution. Warp It can manage the redistribution of assets both internally (where appropriate) and externally. For further options, refer to the "Furniture" section. 

Rubber bands – Place in the non-recycling bin.

Sandwich boxes – Place in the mixed recycling bin. Any leftover food should be placed in the food bin. 

Sharps – Returnable sharps should be collected via Sharpsmart. Contact Samathana Smit SSmit@sharpsmart.co.uk. to arrange collection. 

Shredded paper – must be bagged and placed in non-recycling waste bin.

Stamps – Several charities accept used postage stamps to raise funds for their causes. Two examples include the Bone Cancer Research Trust, Kidney Care, and Canine Partners. 

Stamp pads – Ideally, stamp pads should be re-inked or refilled. If re-inking isn’t possible, dispose of them in the non-recycling waste bin.  

Stationery – If stationery is still usable but unwanted, consider advertising it on Warp It. To reduce waste, minimise the amount produced through careful stock control and ordering. Stationery amnesties can also help staff return unused stationery from desk drawers to a central location. 

Syringe bodies – Disposal via SSmit@Sharpsmart.co.uk.

Tea bags – Place in the food bin.

Tetrapak – Empty and place in the mixed recycling bin. 

Textiles – Donate usable textiles to charity, such as via your nearest British Heart Foundation (BHF) collection bin. Textiles beyond repair should go into general waste skips. 

Tissue paper – See "Paper towels" for disposal. 

Toner cartridges – Use the Tradebe form (Excel; Raven log in required).

Vapes – Information pending. 

Vegware – See "Compostable Packaging" for disposal guidance.

WEEE – See "Electrical appliances" for disposal instructions. 

White goods – See "Electrical appliances" for disposal instructions. 

Wipes – Do not dispose of wipes in toilets, as they cause blockages. Use the non-recycling bins or sanitary bins if in a toilet setting. The best option is to use reusable options—one University department has set up self-cleaning stations with spray bottles and microfiber cloths for staff/students, and regularly washes the cloths overnight. 

Wood – A skip can be arranged for large amounts of wood. Please contact Facilities Management at Facilities.Management@admin.cam.ac.uk. Small amounts of wood (such as pencil shavings) should go in the non-recycling bins. 

Wooden stirrers – Please put in the non-recyclables bin. 

Wrapping – See "Plastic bags/wrapping" for disposal instructions. 

Writing instruments – See "Pens" for disposal instructions.

X-ray film – X-ray film, which is mostly plastic, should go in the non-recycling bin.