Waste audits
The University conducts regular waste audits to better understand the composition of our waste currently being sent to landfill. By auditing our waste, we can enhance on-campus sustainability performance.
2023 Parkville waste audit
In 2023, we conducted a waste audit of the University's Parkville campus. The report revealed that around 44% of waste collected in landfill bins could be diverted through the University’s existing waste infrastructure. This includes:
- 23% of food organics could have gone in an organics bin
- 12.6% mixed recyclables could have gone in a recycling bin
- 8.5% paper and cardboard could have gone in a paper and cardboard bin
Actions moving forward
Did you know that most of this waste could have been diverted?
Based on the results from the 2023 Parkville Waste Audit, the University has been actively planning and implementing several measures to reduce landfill waste, such as:
- Expanding organics collection
- Expanding cardboard collection
- Introducing collection for more specialist waste streams
- Enhancing engagement and communications to minimise contamination
To continue the University's Sustainability Plan 2030 target of reducing waste to 10kg per person by 2025 and diverting waste from landfill, we invite all students and staff to get involved!
You can help ensure we reduce waste to landfill and maximise recycling rates by doing the following:
- You can now keep food waste out of landfill on campus by instead placing them in the compost bins provided on campus. Check the organics page for bin locations.
- Use hand dryers or tea towels to reduce paper towel usage.
- Always check bin signage or view our A-Z of waste guidelines to find out how to dispose of items correctly.
- Choose to reuse on campus – learn about our waste reduction initiatives.
2019 Parkville waste audit
In 2019, we conducted a waste audit of the University's Parkville campus. The report produced revealed that 38.4% of waste collected in landfill bins consisted of items that could be recycled through the University’s mixed recycling stream.