As a result of its daily activities, the University generates significant quantities of waste.
The majority of this waste is non-hazardous in nature and includes waste paper, plastics, packaging and food generated in offices, lecture/meeting rooms, catering outlets and shops.
The food waste is separated where possible, with the majority of the remaining waste collected by the University’s appointed waste contractors and taken off site for processing in materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in Belfast and Ringsend (just outside Coleraine).
These MRFs allow the waste materials to be sorted and sent for either recycling, energy recovery or disposal to landfill.
This is a very effective process resulting in the majority of the waste being diverted from landfill disposal.
Other waste streams are collected separately and sent for recycling. These include electrical equipment, cardboard, glass, cooking oil, fluorescent tubes and printer/toner cartridges.
The University has made considerable improvements to waste management practices over the years, and is committed to managing waste in accordance with the waste hierarchy shown below. With this in mind, the University has set a target to minimise the amount of waste it produces.
Ink Cartridge Recycling
All university ink cartridges can be returned to Office Depot, our stationery supplier, upon request.
This service is provided free of charge.
The procedure for this is as follows:
- When ordering stationery place an order for ink cartridge collection box.
- When the box is full ring the number provided on the box, (for Northern Ireland 08001303393).
- Office depot will collect the box.
Alternatively the ink cartridges can be donated to charity: Both www.emptycartridge.co.uk and www.therecyclingfactory.com recycle cartridges with the money being donated to a charity of the supplier's choice.
Desktop printers are to be phased out, as advised by the Environmental Sustainability Steering Group. After this time, MFD's (multifunctional devices) will be the only printing option available.
Battery Recycling
Please dispose of household batteries in the battery disposal box held at main reception.
Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) Recycling
WEEE (PCs, Printers, Monitors, Mobile Phones etc.) recycling is managed and co-ordinated by the Physical Resources Department (Facilities Services section).
Further information on the recycling procedure and service can be found from the following link:
Warp It
Warp It is part of Ulster’s ‘Climate Smart’ environmental sustainability engagement initiative. Find, give away, or loan office furniture, equipment and other resources.