Recycle effectively at UNSW

UNSW has 2 managed collection points for soft plastic recycling across upper and lower campus.

You can recycle any clear soft plastic that passes the scrunch test. This means any plastic packaging that is transparent, colourless and can be easily squeezed into a ball in your hand goes into the orange bins. 

Acceptable soft plastics include:

• Pallet wrap
• Shrink wrap
• Stretch wrap
• Bubble wrap
• Air pillows
• Plastic bags

How to effectively recycle soft plastic:

1. Collect clear soft plastic at a central location in your office, lab or workshop.
2. If needed, you can collect clear plastic bin liners from upper and lower campus Stores.
3. Once full, deposit your clear soft plastic into an orange bin at one of the following locations on campus:

• E8 Science & Engineering Building (Lower Campus Store)
• E26 Biological Sciences (Upper Campus Store)

For further information click 'Open guide' below or contact EM General services via email emgeneralservices@unsw.edu.au.

• You can drop off undamaged single-use or rechargeable batteries of up to D size, old mobile phones and accessories, such as chargers, at the special recycling boxes located around campus including Library Level 2 (near main entrance), Arc Reception or Basser College. Find battery drop off locations on the campus sustainability map. 
• For larger quantities, collect the batteries in a container and then complete highlighted fields in the waste inventory form found here. Email the completed form to emgeneralservices@unsw.edu.au and a collection will be scheduled on a Thursday.
• For damaged or leaching batteries, or larger and any other types of batteries, request free of charge collection as chemical waste by completing online chemical disposal form here.   

For further information contact EM General services via email emgeneralservices@unsw.edu.au ." 

Empty toner cartridges can be recycled by placing them in Close the Loop Toner Cartridges Recycling boxes across the campus.

You can register for your own collection box by visiting  Close the Loop. When full, call 1800242473 or book a pick up online. It’s free and easy!

You can recycle any light bulbs and tubes by placing them in the collection box. For the collection point location check  the campus sustainability map. For further information contact Estate Management General Services. 

At UNSW, we have an extensive paper recycling program in place. Use the blue bins in your building, office space and near your classroom areas.

For further information on paper recycling or to request a new bin contact Estate Management General Services.

UNSW has established allocated collection points for polystyrene disposal across campus. You can take any collected polystyrene to the location close to you. For all locations check the campus sustainability map. 

For further information contact Estate Management General Services. 

IT e-waste: UNSW IT and EM General Services has established a free of charge collection and recycling service for IT based e-waste items including laptops, desktops, computer accessories, monitors, monitor stands, server racks, printers, and other relevant equipment. Please book an Archibus request here for e-waste disposal as non-billable and the items will be collected from your nominated location.

White goods and non IT e-waste: Contact EM General Services at emgeneralservices@unsw.edu.au . 

You can recycle plastic bottles, tetra packs and aluminium cans with a barcode into one of the four Charopy bins installed on campus. They are located at:

• Across The Little Marionette coffee shop (E24)
• Next to Main library entrance (D22)
• Quadrangle lawn - next to chemist along the lawn (E15)
• Terraces - across from IGA (C9)  

See the UNSW Kensington campus sustainability map for detailed locations.

You can compost all food waste and compostable packaging through outdoor and indoor food waste burgundy bins.