Sussex Estates and Facilities

Waste and Recycling

Contacts

Any requests for ad hoc waste removal should be made through the Service Centre:

T 7777 (external: 01273 87 7777)
E ServiceCentre@sef.fm

Waste removal

It is our responsibility to manage and remove all waste generated across the University. This includes transporting general waste from all areas of buildings to external bins for collection, and ensuring that this waste collection occurs in a controlled and timely fashion. 

We also liaise with regulatory bodies and appropriate technical staff on special waste removal to maintain safety, and always ensure that all staff handling and removing waste are compliant with UK Health and Safety procedures, such as manual handling and the provision and of PPE when necessary. We also handle the provision of appropriate containers to segregate waste materials.

Sussex Estates and Facilities is dedicated to helping reduce the University’s impact on the environment. Recycling and waste diversion from landfill are only a small part of our holistic approach to reducing our carbon footprint. Please visit our Sustainability pages for more information.

Recycling

Sussex Estates and Facilities maintains extensive recycling services across the University, ensuring that we take advantage of as many opportunities to reduce waste as possible by providing widespread alternatives. Segregated recycling bins are available across campus, covering all commonly recyclable waste. We manage the collection and removal of these containers on a regular basis as required.

See examples of specialised waste services below, or consult our Recycling A-Z's. Always make sure you consult any local signage when using waste and recycling facilities.

TetraPak - Juice and food cartons cannot be recycled in normal dry mixed recycling. We have a dedicated TetraPak recycling unit in York House, and we recommend that residents set up collection points in their kitchens for these cartons. Please note that this is a voluntary scheme and is not covered by SEF’s standard waste collection service.

Duvets and Pillows - We recycle all duvets from the undergraduate departure weekend, summer schools and post graduate move out weekend. They get processed by the TFR Group who use the old duvets to fill new mattresses. This saves around 2000 duvets and pillows form going into the general waste stream.

Crisp Packets - There is a designated crisp packet recycling drop-off point available in EatCentral, and various other locations on campus. If staff would like to start up their own in-house collection points, please contact the Service Centre. Please note that this is a voluntary scheme and is not covered by SEF’s standard waste collection service.

Oral health care products - The are a number of drop-off locations across campus including York House reception, Northfield reception and Park Village reception where you can recycle your used oral health care products.

Stationery - There are a number of locations on campus where you can recycle your stationery, including the Arts B common area and Jubilee reception.

Cooking oil - Collect your used cooking oil in a container (preferably a plastic bottle) and hand it to the Porter at Falmer House reception to be recycled into biofuel.

Consult our recycling map for a full list of recycling facilities on campus

WarpIt Re-Use Scheme

As part of the waste action plan to reduce both waste and carbon emissions, the University of Sussex has signed up to WarpIt: a specialised re-use scheme designed to reduce certain waste by redistributing unwanted furniture and supplies. WarpIt allows members of different departments at the University to both claim and advertise items that would otherwise have gone through the general waste stream, and instead re-use them by distributing these unwanted items to staff who require them.

Sign up to our page on WarpIt to see the equipment currently available, and to post up your unwanted items. It's free to use, and our portering staff will assist with the removal and collection of all items.

For full information, see the FAQ's below.

Residential Re-Use Scheme

Working with the Students Union, SEF currently operates a re-use scheme for residences on campus, through which abandoned and unwanted items can be re-used and claimed by students for free instead of being thrown away. Any donated or abandoned items worth re-using - pots, pans, containers, etc - in residences at the end of the academic year are collected by SEF, sorted, and sent to the Students Union for the Free Shop at the start of the new academic new year.

Not only does this scheme enable students to save money and receive essential living supplies, it also helps to reduce the amount of items purchased new. Items which are not claimed during the free shop are donated to various local charities. SEF and the Students Union also work with the British Heart Foundation to help support their Pack for Good campaign, which runs from April – September every year.

Confidential waste

All confidential waste on campus is collected by Veolia, our waste services contractor. Confidential waste is collected on a bespoke service, allowing more heavily utilised consoles to be emptied more frequently and allowing for a more efficient service.

If you have any questions, or if your confidential waste console is in need of more frequent collections, contact the Service Centre.

Food Waste

The University of Sussex has become the first university in the UK to install an aerobic digester. All of the food waste which is generated by the eateries on campus has seen successful reduction of the food waste produced by 70%!

The enriched fertiliser which is produced as a bio-product of the aerobic digester is now being used on the Universities grounds.
Food waste recycling has been introduced into East Slope residences, with the intention of rolling out food waste recycling across other residences on campus.

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste is collected on an ad hoc basis by Veolia when necessary, primarily by request. This includes:

  • Paints
  • Oils
  • Chemicals
  • Toners
  • Batteries
  • Other potentially hazardous items

If you need to arrange a hazardous waste collection, contact the Service Centre.

WarpIt FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

What makes a good WarpIt listing?

The key to a good WarpIt listing is advance notice and clarity.

The longer an item is listed for, the greater the chance of someone claiming it. You can list the item before it is available, and set the date it can be collected from, so in a perfect world you have a new home for your item before you need it gone. When you put together a listing, consider what you would want to know and include as much information as you can.

Try and include:

  • A clear image
  • Item measurements
  • An accurate appraisal of its condition (excellent, good, fair, etc.)
  • The item’s location on campus
  • Any additional information relevant to the listing (specific model number, age, details not immediately obvious from the image, etc.)
How does WarpIt work?

Items are first offered internally. If the item isn’t claimed after a maximum of three weeks, it will automatically be made available to students, staff for personal use and to other public and third sector organisations using WarpIt. For example, other universities, local charities, or schools.

The portal will notify you if your item is claimed, or if you “win” an item. When this happens, you will need to arrange a mutually convenient time for collection.

SEF Porters can help move items, and facilitate collections if needed, but please provide 10 working days' notice.

What can I list?

It is the expectation that you only list items associated with the University, not personal items. For health and safety and legal reasons we cannot accept electrical items.

Can anyone see what items are available?

Anyone with a WarpIt account can see what’s currently available. You can search for items using the search facility at the top of the WarpIt website.

Can I list electrical items?

Generally no, electrical items cannot be listed. However, if you have a high value item we may consider paying for the additional necessary checks so that you can list it. Contact the Service Centre for advice.

What do I do if I can’t find what I want?

You can sign up to receive alerts when an item matches your criteria.

Are items offered to external organisations?

Items are first offered for internal use. If the item isn’t claimed after a maximum of three weeks, it will automatically be made available to students, staff for personal use and to other organisations using WarpIt. For example, other Universities, local charities, and schools.

Can I claim an item for personal use?

If an item is not claimed for internal use, it will become available for personal use and you can claim it.

Can I claim items outside of The University of Sussex?

Yes, you can see and claim anything from other organisations using WarpIt. Just search from the “Browse All WarpIt Club” rather than “Your Own Organisation”. If you take advantage of this, you will need to arrange your own collection.

Are there any costs associated with using WarpIt?

It is free to list or claim an item. However, you will need to arrange and cover the cost of collection when claiming an item off-campus.

What do I do if my listed item is not claimed?

If an item is not claimed and is in the way, you can then contact the Service Centre to arrange disposal.

How does WarpIt calculate the savings data?

Warp it allocates average financial, carbon, and waste values to each item listed. As such the figures quoted can only be considered estimates of the savings made.