Reduce waste and reuse at UNSW

Did you know? In 2024 only, humans extracted 100 gigatons of materials from the Earth (2024, Circularity Gap Report). This is equivalent to a 10 m wide and 250 m high wall around the earth!

UNSW has a target to reduce its annual general waste production by 20% by the end of 2024 and divert 85% of general waste from landfills. To reach those targets and address the global waste and material consumption challenges, we need the UNSW community to adopt the top Rs of circularity.

The top Rs of circularity

 

Refuse
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Say no to single-use and unnecessary items to prevent the consumption of materials in the first place.  

Before buying or accepting something, think about: 

  • Do I really need this, or can I do without it?  
  • For example, ask your retailer to remove the plastic lid on top of your salad bowl or takeaway drink. 
  • Can I go packaging-free?  
  • For example, bring reusable cup, bottle and cutlery on campus and shop at bulk food stores. Bonus: enjoy discounts at UNSW partner retailers!  
  • For event, ask your caterer to deliver on reusable plates. 

Reduce
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When you really need to purchase a product, ask yourself: 

  • How much do I really need?  
  • For event, plan for participant drop-out to avoid excess of food and have a leftover plan to avoid food wastage (contact Food Hub for donation) 
  • Can I borrow or find a second-hand alternative for my next purchase? See the reuse alternatives on campus. 
  • Can I repurpose something I have to serve this purpose?  

Reuse
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Help UNSW reduce waste and material consumption by joining the reuse programs listed below.

Reuse programs on campus

The furniture reuse program

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The Furniture Reuse Program enables all UNSW faculties and departments to reuse valuable furniture across our campuses through an OpenCart system. Access to UNSW VPN and Archibus is required to use the furniture reuse page.  

  • How does it work? When an office space is refurbished, UNSW’s contractor Egans assesses the quality of the furniture and add good quality items through the reuse program’s portal. Any staff member with Archibus access can purchase second-hand furniture on the reuse portal for their office space. Items cannot be purchased for home office. 

Delivery costs cover the transport of the furniture from Egans’ warehouse to UNSW campuses. It is also possible to swap equipment and furniture through the AdminNet network. 

Furniture reuse portalchevron_right

eReuse

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eReuse is an Arc student-run initiative to help reduce e-waste in the environment. Volunteer students take your computers, refurbish them and donate them to socio-economically disadvantaged groups in the community. Find out more here. 

Stationery reuse centre

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The Stationery Reuse Centre is UNSW’s one stop (free) shop for once-loved and re-purposed pens, highlighters, rulers, and everything else that you forget to shove in your pencil case. Run by Arc Volunteer students, the centre keep fellow students well stocked on all their stationery needs while giving an opportunity to staff to give away their excess stationery. 

Laboratory items swap
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  • The TechNet committee and Environmental Sustainability Team organise regular lab swap events to redistribute unused laboratory items across other labs, save money, free up storage space and avoid unnecessary disposal.