Recycling and waste management at the ANU

Recycling is all about using what we have more efficiently, and is good for the environment in several ways:

• Recycling reduces the amount of resources consumed, and so reduces the environmental impacts from resource production (for example mining, oil consumption to make plastics, and the loss of forests to make paper)
• Most recycled materials require less energy to produce than the original material, so helping to reduce energy consumption
• Waste materials can create environmental problems when they are disposed of, such as water pollution from rubbish tips. Recycling cuts down the amount of material sent to landfill and so avoids these environmental impacts.

Current recycling and waste management services available at Acton campus include:

• Battery Recycling Program
• Organic Recycling Project
• Paper — secure and non-secure services
• Furniture
• Cardboard
• Computers
• Demolition and construction waste
• Toner cartridges and photocopier bottles
• Comingled glass, hard plastic, aluminium and steel
  CDs and DVDs
• Who recycles what in the ACT
• Polystyrene
  Available by arrangement for large volumes (eg bulk lots of computer packaging). Contact the ANU recycling manager to arrange.
• Bulk steel
  Items with a significant steel component can be recycled. The most common items are old equipment and broken furniture. Contact the ANU recycling manager to arrange.

Queries about the contract conditions, requests for advice, or problem reports should be directed to the Recycling and Sustainable Systems Manager.

Contact Details

Recycling and Sustainable Systems Manager
E: recycle@anu.edu.au
T: (02) 6125 6605
F: (02) 6125 3823

How you can help reduce environmental impacts from waste

• Reduce, reuse and recycle
  Consider the life cycle of products in your actions, including the uses you put them to and what you do with them after you're finished
• Use scrap paper for drafts and notes
  Reusing things like scrap paper helps reduce the overall amount of waste the University generates
• Recycle paper waste, cardboard, rigid plastic, cans and glass containers
  Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste the University sends to landfill
• Double side and reduce when photocopying & printing
  When you have to use paper, use it more more efficiently by using both sides and shrinking documents to the smallest practical size.
• Use non-disposable mugs and crockery
  Keep enough durable mugs, crockery and cutlery for occupants and guests, avoiding the need for disposables

Help promote recycling with a Why Recycle poster [pdf, 5MB] or summary of recycling options poster [pdf, 290KB] for your area.

Waste management stories from the ANU

Organic waste case-study

A student project assessing organic waste management process and potential on the main ANU campus.

Faculties paper recycling

The Faculties implemented and maintains a paper-recycling system resulting in a considerable saving to the University in landfill costs and to the environment generally.

Chifley Refurbishment Recycling

During a major refurbishment of Chifley Library in 2003, more than half of the demolition and construction waste from the project was diverted from landfill recycled.

Waste Management Links

• DEH Waste Management
  Links to relevant Department of Environment and Heritage resources.
• Subsidies to the Use of Natural Resources
  A discussion of the extent of financial and environmental subsidies to natural resource use, in a number of areas.
• WasteWise
  WasteWise was a partnership between the Commonwealth and the building and construction industry, with the intent of reducing the amount of construction waste going to landfill.
• Scheduled Waste Management
  Information from the Department of Environment and Heritage regarding the disposal and management of scheduled (hazardous) waste.
• Planet Ark Recycling Report 2000
• No Waste By 2010
  The ACT's waste reduction strategy
• ACT Resource Guide
  A listing of Canberra's recycling services, resources and recycled products.