Did you know that you could be at risk of getting disciplinaries, fines and losing your deposits for not managing your waste properly? Recycling isn’t just about being eco-friendly, it’s about taking responsibility for your local environment, building good relationships with your neighbours and keeping Bristol clean.
Here’s what you need to know to manage your waste correctly if you live off-campus:
How to manage your waste and recycling as a student
First of all, the council will provide you with bins and boxes to recycle your waste. If you are missing some, you can order more for free online here.
You should have:
- Recycling boxes – this is for glass, paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and tubs, tins, cans and empty aerosols. This box is collected weekly.
- Small indoor food waste caddy – this is kept inside and used for collecting food waste before emptying it into the larger outdoor food bin. You can use a normal plastic bag to keep this bin clean.
- Larger outdoor food waste bin – Once your indoor food caddy is full, you can put the contents in this bin. This is collected weekly.
- Black bin – this is for non-recyclable waste. This is collected every two weeks.
Putting your bins out
An important part of moving into new accommodation is checking when your bin collection days are. You can find your collection day online here.
You can also download the South Gloucestershire Council app to check your collection days and set reminders.
- Make sure the items you recycle are clean and separated properly.
- Flatten cardboard boxes to save space and help the bin crews collect quickly.
- Crush cans and plastic bottles to make more space in your recycling containers.
- Make sure waste stays inside your black bin. You should be able to close the lid, if you can’t, pests could get in, or rubbish could blow away into gardens.
- You can put your food waste in plastic bags in the food waste bin to keep it clean and prevent smells.
- Put your bins and boxes out for collection by 7am on your collection day.
- Put your bins and boxes at the edge of the property or in your designated collection point – ask your landlord if you aren’t sure where this is.
- Stack your recycling boxes and put the heaviest one (for example the glass container) on top. This weighs down the lighter boxes and stops litter from blowing away.
- Bring your bins back in once they have been emptied. Don’t leave them out, they might get lost or blown away!
- Don’t let waste to build up around where you live. We have had reports of pests and it’s unpleasant for our neighbours, who we have great relationships with.
Too much rubbish?
- You can order as many recycling containers as you need from the council website.
- If you need a bigger black bin, you can request one from the council.
- Take any extra waste to a Sort It recycling centre. You can book to visit for free and come by car, bike or foot.
- If you cannot take the item to a recycling centre, you can book a large household item collection through the council.
Moving out
When you move out, do not leave anything at your property. Leaving unwanted items in your accommodation could lead to the loss of your deposit. Take any unwanted but reusable items to UWE Bristol’s Sustainability Hub or a charity shop. You can also take unwanted items to a Sort It recycling centre, but you must book a time to do this. Find out more about recycling and waste at on the South Glos website.
Living in UWE Accommodation?
Find out how to recycle in UWE Accommodation with our blog.
Remember, your waste is your responsibility. Make sure you manage it properly.
