Reducing plastic use

A positive finding in our latest audit of general waste and container recycling bins was that the overall quantity of plastic on campus is significantly less than it was in 2019. In 2019, the quantity of plastic in these streams was estimated to be 277 tonnes per annum. In 2024, the quantity is estimated to be 205 tonnes per annum. This is a 26% reduction. 

The decline of plastic usage is likely to be partly the result of the nationwide ban on plastic bags, introduced in July 2019, along with many campus retailers changing their packaging to paper-based materials. 

The University supports the global Plastic Free July movement by encouraging the campus community to reduce or eliminate the use of single use plastics in their lifestyles. In July 2024, staff and students were invited to collect stamps on a loyalty card from retailers each time they used a reusable cup or container for purchases. When full, the card could be redeemed for a sustainable prize from the Campus Store.