Warwick trials new coffee cup recycling scheme aimed at reducing waste on campus

The University of Warwick has partnered with waste management company Biffa to initiate a new coffee cup recycling scheme on campus aimed to reduce waste.

The waste-reducing scheme is the latest action aiming to promote sustainability at the University, alongside the likes of Warwick Green Awards and Wednesday Warwick Wombles litter picks.

As part of the scheme, recycling stations have been positioned at three popular campus coffee spots: Caffè Nero in both the Faculty of Arts Building and in the Sports and Wellness Hub, and Pret a Manger.

More recycling points are set to be added in the future in anticipation of the scheme’s success.

Mike Kearley, the University’s Waste and Recycling Manager, has urged Warwick students and staff to “separate the lids from the cups before recycling, dispose of only coffee cups (plastic bottles and other waste should not be included)”, and to “ensure cups are empty” when using the recycling stations to retain their efficiency.

By engaging with the scheme, the Warwick community will be contributing to the University’s ‘Way to Sustainable’ strategy, aiming to work towards a sustainable future.

The recycling stations will aid the University’s intentions of achieving a circular economy by eliminating waste, reusing and circulating materials, and regenerating nature

The University has reaffirmed its commitment to ‘zero direct waste to landfill’, with its goal to increase recycling rates to 60% by 2028.

The recycling stations will aid the University’s intentions of achieving a circular economy by eliminating waste, reusing and circulating materials, and regenerating nature.

Currently, only 7.2% of materials globally are cycled back into the economy, according to the 2024 Circularity Gap Report. The University aims to help increase this statistic through its multitude of projects, with the recycling stations being just one.

With a community of staff and students alike passionate about keeping the campus environment clean and eco-friendly, the coffee cup recycling scheme is off to a promising start. Keeping in mind the goal for a sustainable future, the University of Warwick pledges to keep working to reduce waste and preserve the environment.