A to Z of recycling
Find out what can be recycled and what has to go in the bin.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | V | W
A
Aerosols
Aerosols can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins, but they must be completely empty. Do not pierce, crush or flatten the aerosols before putting them in the recycling bins.
Aluminium foil
Foil can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins - it must be clean though.
Asbestos waste and equipment containing asbestos
Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) can be found in many items, including scientific and engineering equipment.
If you know or are unsure if your equipment contains asbestos please contact the Asbestos Team who will assist with the identification and safe disposal of ACM containing equipment.
Information on the University's asbestos team
Audio equipment
Audio equipment, for example CD and MP3 players, fall under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations. Audio equipment cannot be disposed of with the general waste, instead it must be recycled.
Find information on how to manage WEEE via our recycling schemes webpage
B
Batteries
Batteries must not be disposed of in the general waste; instead they must be separated from the general waste stream and sent for recycling. Slightly different arrangements exist for wet and dry cell batteries.
Find information on how to recycle batteries via our recycling schemes webpage
Biological waste
The University has set up a system to ensure that biological waste is segregated and disposed of according to legislation. A corporate procedure has been written to help waste producers identify the correct disposal route.
If you generate any waste that needs to be disposed of though this waste stream you must contact the Environment Officer for advice (+44 114 222 9083). Alternatively, find guidance on our Lab and Workshop Waste webpage.
Read the Medical School and School of Clinical Dentistry Waste Handbook
Books
Books can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins. Books are heavy, if you are having a clear out, box them up instead of putting them in the recycling bins.
Boxes, A4 files and ring binders
Box files, A4 folders and ring binders that are made of card can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins. If they are made of plastic or covered in PVC then they must be disposed of in the general waste bins.
Bubble wrap
Plastic bubble wrap that is made of low density polyethylene can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins.
C
Calculators
Calculators fall under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations. They cannot be disposed of with the general waste, instead they must be recycled.
Find information on how to manage WEEE via our recycling schemes webpage
Cans
Both steel and aluminium food and drinks cans can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins. They must be rinsed first.
Cardboard
Cardboard can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins. Oversize boxes should be flattened and left by the side of the recycling bins.
Catalogues and directories
These can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins. Catalogues are heavy, if you are having a clear out, box them up instead of putting them in the recycling bins.
Catering platters
gUSto, with the support of Estates and Facilities Management, collect plastic platters from internally catered events so they can be washed and used again. A green bag is provided with every food delivery to collect up the empty platters, they do not need to be washed, however they must be free of food.
Visit our recycling schemes webpage for more information on how to recycling catering platters
CDs and DVDs
CDs and DVDs cannot be recycled and should be disposed of as general waste; unless they contain confidential information. In which case they should be disposed of as confidential waste.
Guidance on disposing of confidential waste
Chemicals
Chemicals must not be disposed of in the general waste stream or via the drain; instead they must be segregated and disposed of/treated by an appropriate waste facility.
Visit our lab and workshop waste webpage for more information
Read the Medical School and School of Clinical Dentistry Waste Handbook
Clinical waste
The University has set up a system to ensure that clinical waste (referred to as biological waste by the organisation) is segregated and disposed of according to legislation. A corporate procedure has been written to help waste producers identify the correct disposal route.
If you generate any waste that needs to be disposed of through this waste stream you must contact the Environment Officer for advice.
Visit our lab and workshop waste webpage for more information
Read the Medical School and School of Clinical Dentistry Waste Handbook
Confidential waste
Confidential information can be stored on variety of media – on paper, electronically on hard drives, computer disks and CDs and on audio and video tapes. Irrespective of how the information is held confidential waste must be disposed of securely and arrangements are different according to the department.
Visit our confidential waste webpage for more information
D
Desk lighting
Desk lighting falls under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations. Desk lighting cannot be disposed of with the general waste, instead it must be recycled.
Find information on how to manage WEEE via our recycling schemes webpage
Drinks cartons
Long life drink and food cartons cannot be recycled and should be disposed of as general waste.
E
Electrical equipment
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) cannot be disposed of with the general waste. Legislation requires the University to separate WEEE from other waste and ensure that it is re-used, recycled or recovered where possible.
Find information on how to manage WEEE via our recycling schemes webpage
Electric hand tools
Electric hand tools fall under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations. They cannot be disposed of with the general waste, instead they must be recycled.
Find information on how to manage WEEE via our recycling schemes webpage
Envelopes
Used envelopes can be reused for internal post and recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins.
F
Fridges and freezers
Fridges and freezers fall under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations. They cannot be disposed of in the general waste skips. Both must be disposed of through the WEEE recycling scheme. However lab fridges and freezers must be decontaminated and all the food stuff must be removed from kitchen fridges and freezer prior to collection.
Find information on how to manage WEEE via our recycling schemes webpage
Furniture
Where possible surplus furniture should be reused within the organisation. Broken items of furniture, however, are recycled.
Visit our webpage on bulky waste for more information
G
Gas bottles, canisters and cylinders
Gas bottles, canisters and cylinders are very difficult to dispose of and must not be disposed of with the general waste. Reusable containers must be returned to the supplier for reuse.
The Recycling Team will collect single use and orphaned gas bottles, canisters and cylinders for recycling. Book collection using EFM Self Service (via MUSE) or contact the EFM Help Desk (efmhelpdesk@sheffield.ac.uk).
The purchase of single use gas bottles, canisters and cylinders should be avoided where possible.
Glass bottles and jars
Glass, including chemical containers, can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins. Glass bottles and jars must be rinsed first. The labels on chemical bottles must be defaced before they are put in the recycling bins.
I
IT equipment
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) cannot be disposed of with the general waste. Legislation requires the University to separate WEEE from other waste and ensure that it is re-used, recycled or recovered where possible.
Find information on how to manage WEEE via our recycling schemes webpage
J
Journals
Journals can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins. Journals are heavy, if you are having a clear out, box them up instead of putting them in the recycling bins.
K
Kitchen appliances
Small kitchen appliances, such as kettles, coffee machines and toasters fall under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations. They cannot be disposed of with the general waste, instead they must be recycled.
Find information on how to manage WEEE via our recycling schemes webpage
L
Lab glassware
Lab glassware has a different melting point than glass bottles and jars; consequently it can’t be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins. Instead lab glassware has to be disposed of as general waste.
For health and safety reasons lab glassware must not be disposed of in lab waste bins. Every lab must have a dedicated glass bin that should be emptied directly into the external bins when it is full.
Read the Medical School and School of Clinical Dentistry Waste Handbook
Lamps - microscope and projector
Microscope and projector lamps are classed as hazardous waste so must not be disposed of in the general waste. Wrap them up and organise collection using the EFM Self Service tool (via MUSE) or by contacting EFM Help Desk (efmhelpdesk@shef.ac.uk).
Read the Medical School and School of Clinical Dentistry Waste Handbook
Leaflets and junkmail
Both leaflets and junk mail can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins.
Lightbulbs
Fluorescent tubes, lamps and halogen bulbs are classed as hazardous waste so must not be disposed of in the general waste bins and skips.
More information on what to do via our recycling schemes webpage
M
Magazines
Magazines can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins. Magazines are heavy, if you are having a clear out, box them up instead of putting them in the recycling bins.
Mercury thermometers
Thermometers and other items containing mercury should be disposed of as hazardous waste. Broken items should be packaged up securely in order to keep the mercury contained.
Visit our lab and workshop waste webpage for more information
Read the Medical School and School of Clinical Dentistry Waste Handbook
Metal drums
The Recycling Team will collect clean metal drums for recycling. Book collection using EFM Self Service (in MUSE) or by contacting the Estates Help Desk.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones must be returned to the Voice and Data Team, who manage the University’s mobile device contracts.
Visit our recycling schemes webpage for more information
N
Napkins and serviettes
Napkins and serviettes cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in the general waste bins.
O
Oil, oily rags and rags
Oils and anything contaminated with mineral oil, for example wipes, rags and packaging must not be disposed of in the general waste stream or via the drain; instead they must be segregated and disposed of/treated by an appropriate facility.
Visit the lab and workshop waste webpage for more information
P
Paints and varnish
Paints and varnishes must not be disposed of in the general waste stream or via the drain; instead they must be segregated and disposed of /treated by an appropriate facility.
Visit the lab and workshop waste webpage for more information
Paper towels
Paper towels cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in the general waste bins.
Plasma screens and TVs
Plasma screens and TVs fall under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations. Audio equipment cannot be disposed of with the general waste, instead it must be recycled.
Find information on how to manage WEEE via our recycling schemes webpage
Plastic bottles and containers
Many plastics can be put in our mixed recycling, including:
Information on our mixed recycling scheme
Tubs: Containing non-food items for example hand cream, wipes, detergent and cleaning products; and food items such as soup pots and margarine tubs
Bags: Plastic bags and polythene
Bottles: All types of plastic bottles - if it has a lid it can be recycled
Pots: Hard pots without lids, for example yoghurt pots and noodle pots
Trays that hold fruit, vegetables, cakes and biscuits
Moulded plastic packaging from non-food items, for example from batteries or memory sticks
Plugs and electrical cables
Plugs and electrical cables fall under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations. They cannot be disposed of with the general waste. Legislation requires the University to separate WEEE from other waste and ensure that it is re-used, recycled or recovered where possible.
Find infomation on how to manage WEEE via our recycling schemes webpage
Polystyrene and polystyrene chips
Polystyrene and polystyrene chips are not collected separately for recycling. They should be disposed of through the general waste stream.
Polythene and plastic bags
Polythene and plastic bags made of low density polyethylene can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins.
R
Radioactive waste
If you generate any radioactive waste you should read the University's procedures before contacting the University’s Radioactive Waste Adviser with any queries.
Further information on radioactive waste
S
Sharps
Sharps are items that could cause cuts or puncture wounds. They include needles, hypodermic needles, scalpels, other blades, knives, scissors, glass Pasteur pipettes and other sharp laboratory instruments.
Sharps must be disposed of carefully so that they do not cause harm to anyone handling the waste. How they must be disposed of depends on:
- where they are generated,
- what they are made out of,
- if they are contaminated with anything.
Visit our lab and workshop waste webpage for more information
Solvents
Solvents must not be disposed of in the general waste stream or via the drain; instead they must be segregated and disposed of/treated by an appropriate facility.
Visit our lab and workshop waste webpage for more information
Read the Medical School and School of Clinical Dentistry Waste Handbook
T
Tins
Both steel and aluminium food tins can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins. They must be rinsed first.
Telephones
Telephones fall under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations. They cannot be disposed of with the general waste. Legislation requires the University to separate WEEE from other waste and ensure that it is re-used, recycled or recovered where possible.
Find information on how to manage WEEE via our recycling schemes webpage
Tissues
Tissues cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in the general waste bins.
V
Vending and coffee cups
Some vending cups can be recycled while others can’t.
Plastic cups can be recycled in the co-mingled recycling bins but they must be rinsed and empty.
Polystyrene and cardboard vending cups cannot be recycled and must be disposed of in the general waste. Cardboard vending cups cannot be recycled because they have a liquid resistant coating.
Video and audio tapes
Video and audio tapes cannot be recycled and should be disposed of as general waste; unless they contain confidential information, in which case they should be disposed of as confidential waste.
Guidance on how to dispose of confidential waste
W
Winchesters
Fisher Scientific collects used Winchesters for reuse and recycling. They also collect cardboard boxes from their customers for reuse.
The University takes advantage of this scheme and collects and stores Fisher Scientific Winchester bottles and cardboard boxes centrally for collection by Fisher Scientific.
Visit out lab and workshop waste webpage for information
Wooden pallets and packaging
The Recycling Team will collect wooden pallets, wooden packaging and other wooden items for recycling. Book collection using EFM Self Service (in MUSE) or by contacting the Estates Help Desk.