Plastic Free Dining

With over 60,000 students and 6,000 staff across UNSW campuses seeking their daily food and drink, we collectively impact the waste generated on campus. 

A 2024 waste audit at Kensington campus revealed that 56% of the general waste in outdoor bins consists of food and drink packaging. 

But it doesn’t have to be that way.  

Join the Plastic Free Dining Movement! 

Plastic Free Dining is a key initiative of the Environmental Sustainability Plan 2022-2024 aiming to achieve three major sustainability goals: 

  • Eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic packaging from UNSW food and drink services. 
  • Improve recycling rates through effective waste management. 
  • Reduce total waste volumes by promoting reuse over single-use. 
 What have we done so far? 
  • Collaborated with UNSW food and drink retailers to switch to fully compostable single-use packaging and remove banned plastic items 
  • Encouraged staff and students to dine in and bring their own (BYO) cups, containers, and utensils to campus. 
  • Installed additional water bubblers in key locations to reduce consumption of single-use water bottles 
  • Trialed a three-bin system to separate drink containers, food waste, compostable packaging, and general waste. This has now changed to a two-bin system. Check the What goes where: UNSW waste guide for more details. 
How can you help? 
  • Dining in? Choose a retailer who provides reusable cups, cutlery and plates to enjoy your food waste-free. 
  • Forgot to BYO? Ask your retailer not to put a lid on your cup or bowl to limit unnecessary packaging. 
  • Join the plastic free movement! Explore other ways to eliminate single-use plastics in daily life. Review Plastic Free July tips and share your successes with your community. 
Reusable crockery