The University of Wales, Newport has shown 'slick' thinking with a number of strategies which are reducing waste and also helping towards meeting their recycling targets.
Last year, a bio-diesel processor was purchased to transform waste oil from the kitchens on site into eco-friendly bio-diesel to power its on-site vehicles. These include tractors to cut grass and a post van.
The university also encourages students and staff to help with managing waste. There are facilities on site for recycling cardboard, paper, newspapers, magazines, metal, wood, printer cartrides, flourescent tubes and waste electrical equipment. A cardboard compactor is used to reduce the number of waste collections from campus further reducing the impact of transport.
During the summer of 2008, 60 wheelie bins for paper, glass, cans and plastic bottles were installed next to the halls of residence, refectory and kitchen areas.
To reduce the waste of energy, the University has installed software in the student IT suites which automatically switches computers off when not in use. There are plans to introduce this across the whole University.
Producing our own bio-diesel was seen as ambitious by some but we were confident it was a project worth doing. The results have been staggering - both environmentally and financially. The project has injected real interest in waste management at the University which has helped engage staff and students in other waste management projects that we are carrying out.
The waste vegetable oil no longer requires transporting off site for disposal and has helped reduce the University's carbon emissions. The dieel production faciltiy produces approximately 120 litres of bio-diesel from 150 litres of waste cooking oil. Approximately 2400 litres of oil was recycled in 2007/08 amounting to initial savings of about 75% in fuel costs.
At the start of the 2008/09 semester when the university introduced its wheelie bin scheme, 8000 students were quick to make the most of the facilities. Some 3.5 tonnes of waste have been recycled.
