Our waste and where it goes
To ensure that we manage our resources efficiently, we follow the waste hierarchy of avoid, reduce, reuse, recycle, with a focus on the reduction of waste at its source.
Sustainable procurement 
Our (Word Doc, 476KB) outlines our commitment to changing our buying behaviour, embracing the circular economy and moving away from a linear model. To reduce the amount we buy, we encourage the sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing or refurbishing of products before opting to purchase new ones.  
Responsible use of plastics  
We're committed to the responsible use of plastics, including its reduction, reuse and recycling to allow for circularity and efficiency. We’re leading on plastics research, exploring new and more sustainable ways to make, use and recycle it. Our (Word Doc, 233KB) details the targets we look to achieve by 2025.
Furniture and stationery
is the largest dedicated reuse hub in the UK Higher Education sector. Its 5,500 square foot facility houses all of the University’s surplus furniture, stationery and unused toner cartridges.
The Furniture Store team gets items back into use within departments, and allows staff and students to take items for home working and study.
The service also supports over 60 external organisations across the North West, including schools, charities, community groups and the NHS.
By extending the life of our resources, we're reducing waste, cutting costs, lowering carbon emissions and providing valuable support to the local community.
The impact of Furniture4Reusre (Aug 2024 – Jul 2025):
- Total reused: 83.939 tonnes - £602,701 value
- University reuse: 56.735 tonnes - equivalent to £420,606
- Charities & community: 27.204 tonnes donated - equivalent to £182,095
- Carbon savings: 226 tCOâ‚‚e - equivalent to the annual absorption of 10,270 mature trees
Laboratory equipment
LabGoods4Reuse (LG4R) in 2024 – an innovative initiative designed to reuse resources, reduce waste, provide essential equipment, and free up valuable space through laboratory ‘rehoming.’
The uptake has been fantastic, with over 500 items rehomed across 70 different lab groups, saving more than £250,000 in equipment and consumables. LG4R is fostering a sustainable culture, encouraging staff to check for available resources before purchasing new laboratory equipment.
To explore available items or contribute to the initiative, check with the LG4R team before making new purchases. Please contact LabGoods4Reuse@manchester.ac.uk
Bee Cup
As part of our Bee Cup scheme, we provide staff and students with reusable cups to reduce waste. Bee Cups are free if returned within 14 days, while disposable cups incur a 50p charge. Once used, simply return your Bee Cup to a designated drop-off point for washing and re-use.
Several locations on Oxford Road will be taking part in the scheme alongside every . This includes:
- The Students’ Union
- Benugo
- Royal Northern College of Music
- Eighth Day
- Bold Street
Download the , get your first drink free and start using the Bee Cup.   
Recycling on campus
Across our campus, we offer recycling and drop off points for a wide variety of different waste and reusable items such as packaging, vapes, food waste, and clothing.
To find out more about what you can recycle on campus please check out our handy (PDF, 1,321KB)
Alternatively, use our to find exactly what you can drop of and recycle where.
If you need assistance disposing of waste such as chemicals, confidential documents, large quantities of food, office clear-outs, or hazardous materials, please refer to our .
Recycling off campus
We understand that for staff and students visiting òòò½ÎÑÊÓƵ for the first time, figuring out what and where to recycle off-campus can be challenging.
To help our students, we have developed this handy guide to (PDF, 999KB).
Alternatively, visit the to find exactly what you can recycle in your local area.
Where the disposal of waste is the only viable option, we seek to use more sustainable treatment technologies. Our current waste policy ensures that zero waste is sent directly to landfill. We take all non-recyclable (residual) waste to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Trafford Park where it is shredded before being transferred to a facility in Ferry Bridge in West Yorkshire, run by Multifuel Energy Ltd, where it is used as a Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). 
Find out more about .