A-Z of waste
A one-stop-shop for what to do with unwanted items on campus. Remember – always reduce and reuse before you recycle, and leave landfill as the last option!
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Aluminum foil
Aluminium foil and trays
Which bin? Clean your aluminium foil of food residue and roll up into a loose ball no smaller than the size of your fist. Place in the recycling bins.If food residues cannot be cleaned off properly, place in the landfill bins.Alternative option Reusable bees wax or soy wraps. Reusable platters/trays More information Choose to Reuse -
Balloons
Balloons, and balloon accessories like plastic clips and ribbons, are not biodegradable. In particular mylar balloons, which are essentially foil-coated plastic, stay in the environment forever.
Which bin? Landfill Alternative option There are plenty of alternative party decorations such as reusable bunting, fruit bowls for centre pieces, fresh flowers or confetti made from leaves -
Bamboo or wooden chopsticks and cutlery
Reduce and reuse Carry a reusable cutlery set with you or use cutlery from the Choose to Reuse service at the Student Precinct Which bin? Landfill More information Choose to Reuse -
Batteries
Batteries are the most common form of household hazardous waste.
Which bin? On campus: To dispose of batteries, please locate your nearest 'Battery Bucket'.
*To have your battery bucket swapped over, log a Service now (staff only) request.
Off Campus: 'B-cycle' is a free Government-backed Scheme that recycles old and used household style batteries. Visit B-cycle Battery Recycling to find your nearest battery drop-off point.
Batteries cannot go in the landfill as they are toxic.Alternative options Use rechargeable batteries where possible (charged via green power if available!) More information Batteries -
Binders
Which bin? If they have a vinyl covering then they must go in landfill. If they are cardboard or paper based then they can go in the recycling bin Alternative options Use the binders you already have before buying more. Purchase cardboard binders whenever possible -
Biodegradable items including bioplastics
Which bin? Landfill Alternative option Use reusable items. If on the Parkville campus, you can use these items for free from the Choose to Reuse Plate Program at the Student Precinct, Building 168, the Arts and Cultural Building and the ERC. More information Choose to Reuse -
Books
Which bin? Unwanted books can be sold or donated to a charity shop. Alternatively, recycle any old textbooks not worth giving away with Planet Ark Recycling at one of their drop-off points across Melbourne. Alternative option Avoid buying new books by opting for e-books instead, borrowing from libraries or swapping, selling or donating your books More information Planet Ark Recycling -
Cardboard
Cardboard is one of the easiest and most environmentally effective materials to recycle since the fibre in cardboard has already been processed.
Which bin? Small cardboard: Recycling
Large cardboard: Recycling via the large blue recycling bins across campus. Just make sure you've flattened it first
Waxed cardboard: Landfill
Large amounts of cardboard: Staff are able to hire a cardboard bin by submitting a request via Service NowAlternative option Cardboard boxes can be reused for shipping and moving house. Encourage suppliers to take back packaging wherever possible More information Reduce, reuse, recycle -
Clothing
Which bin? Landfill Alternative option Donate clothings in good condition to local charities and op-shops or host a clothes swap More information Sustainability Victoria -
Coffee cups
Disposable coffee cups are not recyclable as they contain a plastic inner layer which is too difficult to separate from the paper cup during the recycling process.
Which bin? Landfill Alternative option Use a reusable mug or dine in More information Coffee cups -
Coffee pods
Single-serve coffee pods are too small to be sorted correctly in the current recycling system.
Which bin? Can only be recycled though a specialist recycling stream, not in the general recycling on campus.
Use the pod collection point in the kitchen of Level 2 Alan Gilbert Building. Alternatively, organise your own collection point and recycle coffee pods through either TerraCycle or Nespresso.If you do not have access to a special collection bin, put the pods in landfill.
Alternative option Using reusable coffee pods or use a coffee machine that uses beans in bulk More information Coffee cups -
Cups (biodegradable and compostable)
Most 'biodegradable' cups need to be processed through commercial composting facilities in order for them to break down. Some can be composted at home, but we can't process them through food organics buckets or compost bins on campus.
Which bin? Landfill Alternative option Use a reusable mug or dine in More information Coffee cups
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Confidential documents
Which bin? Permanent confidential document disposal bins are located in most major buildings across campus. Place a Service Now (staff only) request if you wish to have a confidential document bin emptied. More information Paper -
E-waste
The University has become increasingly aware of the issues caused by disposal of electronic Waste (E-waste) worldwide and consequently has decided to address the disposal of unwanted electronic equipment in a consistent, environmentally conscious manner.
Which bin? Please refer here for the reuse and disposal of electronic assets. More information E-waste -
Food waste
Type of food waste Which bin? Fruit and vegetable scraps Compost, worm farm, the food waste processor Tea bags and coffee grounds Compost, worm farm, the food waste processor Citrus The food waste processor Cooked food Compost, worm farm, the food waste processor Meat and dairy The food waste processor Onion, garlic and spicy foods Compost, the food waste processor Cooking oil Compost Visit food organics for more information.
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Furniture
Which bin? Place a Service Now (staff only) request to have unwanted furniture collected for reuse More information Furniture and Equipment Reuse Service -
Garden waste
Type of garden waste Which bin? Flowers/plants/grass Organics bin, compost, food waste processor. If unavailable, put in the landfill Dirt/soil Compost. If unavailable, put in the landfill Plant pots (plastic) Recycling Plant trimmings Organics bin, compost, food waste processor. If unavailable, put in the landfill -
Glass
Type of glass waste Which bin? Bottles and jars Recycling broken glass Wrap in paper and put in landfill -
Hard waste
Hard waste includes scrap metal and broken or damaged furniture and equipment that can no longer be used.
Which bin? Book a Service Now (staff only) request to have hard waste removed More information Hard waste -
Masks (disposable)
Which bin? Landfill Alternative option Reusable masks -
Old textbooks
Which bin? Old textbooks can be sold or donated to a charity shop. Alternatively, recycle any old textbooks not worth giving away with Planet Ark Recycling at one of their drop-off points across Melbourne. Alternative option Avoid buying new textbooks by opting for e-books instead or borrowing the library when possible. More information Planet Ark Recycling -
Old University merchandise
Which bin? Most end up in landfill however it depends on what the item is. For more specific information please contact sustainable-campus@unimelb.edu.au. Alternative option Avoid accepting or buying merchandise that you don't need. In the case of running events, if you do need branded merchandise, make sure to do the following where appropriate:
- Do not overbuy. Monitor the number of items purchased and given away;
- Ensure items are not dated so that they can be reused in the following months/years;
- Ensure any packaging is environmentally friendly;
- Give things that can be reused multiple times.More information Contact sustainable-campus@unimelb.edu.au. -
Paper towels
Which bin? Landfill. Paper towels are made from virgin materials and cannot be recycled. Alternative option Use tea towels instead
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Plastic chopsticks and cutlery
Which bin? Landfill. These pieces of plastic are too small and flat to be processed correctly in mixed recycling systems. Alternative option Reusable items. -
Plastic containers and bottles
Which bin? Recycling. Alternative option Reusable items. -
Plastic or biodegradable bags
Which bin? Landfill. Alternative option Reusable bags or newspaper as an alternative to a plastic bin liner. -
Polystyrene
Which bin? Polystyrene can be recycled at specialised collection points if it is clean, white, expanded polystyrene. UoM has polystyrene collection points and local transfer stations also accept polystyrene for recycling. If no collection points are available, place in landfill. More information -
Sanitary items
Which bin? Sanitary waste bins provided in bathroom cubicles. Alternative option Reusable and washable period underwear or a menstrual cup. -
Serviettes/napkins
Which bin? Landfill. Alternative option Reusable items. -
Soft plastics
Soft plastics are any plastics that can be scrunched and not return to its original shape.
Which bin? Recycle soft plastics with RecycleSmart by scheduling a pickup - this service operates across Melbourne.
If you do not have a soft plastics collection near by, use the landfill bin.Alternative option Rethink what you buy. Buy items with minimal packaging, in reusable packaging or from bulk food stores. More information RecycleSmart -
Sponges
Which bin? Landfill. Alternative option Use a plant-based loofah sponges as an eco-friendly alternative. -
Stationery
Which bin? Recycle through Terracycle or at Officeworks. Alternatively, use the landfill bin (unless stated other by the packaging label). Alternative option Use the stationery you already have before buying more. When purchasing new stationery, buy items you can reuse, for example refillable pens. More information Six tips for reducing stationery waste at the office or at home -
Tins and cans
Which bin? Recycling. Do not crush aluminium cans before putting them in the mixed recycling bin - this may inhibit them being recycled. Alternative option Use reusable containers/bottles where possible. More information Reduce, reuse, recycle -
Tissues
Which bin? Landfill. Alternative option Only take the amount that you actually need or use a handkerchief.