University of York recycling rates reach a record high

Recycling rates at the University of York have reached an all-time high as figures for the last academic year show the university achieved a recycling rate of 53 per cent.

Any waste that cannot be recycled is now being transformed into energy to help power 40,000 homes across North Yorkshire.

The university has been working in partnership with Yorwaste since 2015 with the goal to educate students and staff about the importance of recycling.

Thousands of bin collections by Yorwaste are carried out across the university campus each month, with dedicated bins either being used for dry mixed recyclables such as plastic, paper and cans; glass or general waste.

Additionally, none of the university's waste ends up in landfill as all non-recyclable waste is sent to a Allerton Waste Recovery Park on the outskirts of York to be turned into electricity, contributing and generating enough energy for 40,000 North Yorkshire Homes.

When the university first started work with Yorwaste recycling figures were at 36 per cent but have now increased to 53 per cent. Mark Clough, the university's Sustainability Manager, said the increase was a "great milestone [and a] testament to the hard work of students and staff who are all very conscious about the need to protect the environment."

He added that the university is "continually looking to improve further as the contract progresses with Yorwaste over the next three years it will be complemented by specific initiatives, such as YORCUP and a web-based re-use system which enables unwanted goods and furniture to be advertised among staff and departments for reuse."

Kate Anderson, Yorwaste Account Manager, said: the local company is "proud to be associated with the University of York and looking forward to assisting them to further increase recycling over the next few years, as well as promoting the reduction and reuse of waste."

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