UWE Bristol is proud to host a pioneering trial of the Lendable reusable cup scheme on our Frenchay campus, taking a practical step to reduce single-use cup waste and advance circular economy principles. As a first-of-its-kind initiative, this trial positions UWE Bristol at the forefront of sustainable campus innovation.
How the Lendable scheme works
From May 11th, takeaway drinks will be served in purple reusable cups at three Frenchay campus locations: the Wild Kitchen Vegan Café, Atrium Café in X Block (Bristol Business School), and the Student Union Bar. The scheme is designed to be frictionless: while the usual take away cup levy still applies, there are no deposits, no sign-ups, and no apps required.
After use, cups should be returned to purple bins located across campus. To make the job as easy as possible for the cleaning and waste teams, we would kindly like to ask to dispose of the liquid of any unfinished drinks before putting the cups in the purple waste bins. A map of bin locations is available here to help find the nearest drop-off point. Cups are then collected, professionally cleaned by Re_Uz, experts in the hygienic deployment of reusable packaging at large events, and then returned for reuse.
This closed-loop system can reduce carbon emissions by up to 20 – 30% after just two uses, compared to single-use paper cups, which are typically non-recyclable due to mixed materials. The April trial will provide important feedback and enable a wider roll out of Lendable across all cafes from September.
A collaborative partnership driving circular change
The scheme is a great UWE Bristol partnership including Sustainability, Hospitality, Cleaning and Waste working closely with the Students’ Union and our external partners:
- Ecosurety: a Bristol based B Corp-certified company that helps businesses comply with packaging and recycling rules while promoting sustainability and innovation in waste management.
- SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK: a leading environmental services and waste management company, and UWE Bristol’s current waste contractor, responsible for waste collection, recycling, and supporting the transition to a circular, low-carbon economy
UWE Bristol’s Frenchay campus will be acting as a living lab, providing a real-world testing ground to trial and refine the scheme, while aligning it with our sustainability commitments and research goals. The university was chosen for this trial because of its strong reputation for hands-on, action-led sustainability and circular economy innovation.
As Jade Shih, Head of Circular Economy at UWE Bristol, explains, “This trial not only reduces waste but also creates valuable opportunities for research, innovation and skills development, thereby embedding sustainability into campus life and supporting UWE Bristol’s RISE beacons.”
The scheme supports UWE Bristol’s sustainability commitments through collaborative research and innovation, offering students and staff opportunities to engage with circular economy practices. It also aims to strengthen green skills development by integrating real-world projects into teaching and placements. Dr. Sarah Hills, Senior Lecturer in Geography & Environmental Management, highlights the educational impact:“Reusable systems like Lendable are essential for moving beyond recycling towards true circularity. By integrating this scheme with our teaching and research, we prepare students to lead sustainable change in their future careers.”
Reflecting on the practical design of the scheme, Richard Marriott, Head of Reuse at Ecosurety, adds, “We focused on making the system as simple and accessible as possible, so that choosing reuse becomes effortless. This trial is a vital step in demonstrating that large-scale reuse can work effectively in real-world settings.”
Operationally, the trial demonstrates a system-led approach to sustainable campus management, contributing to improved Sustainable Development Goals performance and helping meet UWE Bristol’s ambitious sustainability targets.
Your voice matters: help shape the future of reuse
As the trial unfolds, we invite staff, students, and visitors to share their experiences. Feedback on ease of use, cup design, and bin accessibility will be crucial to refining the scheme and planning a wider rollout across campus. A simple feedback form is available to capture your insights and suggestions. a simple feedback form can be accessed via a QR code on the cups