UC Home > Departments > Sustainability  

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What do I do if I am disposing of an item not on the poster?

Here is a list of common items. If your item does not appear on this list please contact sharon.mciver@canterbury.ac.nz

Batteries: Battery collection bins (see below for more information)
Biodegradable Plates/Cups:  (see below for explanation)
Bottle tops and caps (plastic): Remove from bottle and place separately in Recycling (see below for explanation)
Bottle tops and caps (metal): Remove from bottle and place separately in Landfill (see below for explanation)
Coffee filters:Empty coffee grounds into Organics and put filter in Landfill
Cups (biodegradable):  Landfill (see below for explanation)
Cups (polystyrene): Landfill – The UC Sustainability Office is committed to reducing non-recyclable polystyrene on campus. If you see these items being used please contact sharon.mciver@canterbury.ac.nz
Cutlery (plastic/wooden):  Landfill
eWaste: Go to https://share.canterbury.ac.nz/ICTServices/Sustainability/eWaste/default.aspx . (See below for more information)
Envelopes with Plastic Windows:  Paper
Fabric: Small pieces to Landfill Large pieces should be donated to a charity or dropped off at the Ecodrops (see: http://www.ecocentral.co.nz/services/ecodrop/find-an-ecodrop).
Gladwrap (food):  Landfill
Glossy Paper:  Paper
Laminated Posters:  Landfill
Noodle pottles (cardboard/plastic):  Recycling, please remove food waste first
Noodle Pottles (polystyrene): Landfill
OHP’s (overhead transparencies): Landfill
Paper Bags (food): If clean, Paper; if greasy/soiled, Landfill
Paper Towels: Landfill
Pens: Landfill
Pizza boxes: Empty contents and leave with cardboard next to bin set
Plates (plastic): Recycling, please remove food waste first
Plates (cardboard): Landfill – this is because food waste contaminates the paper stream
Plates (biodegradable): Landfill (see below for explanation)
Polystyrene Cups/Plates/Food: Landfill – the UC Sustainability Office is committed to reducing non-recyclable polystyrene on campus. If you see these items being used please contact sharon.mciver@canterbury.ac.nz
Polystyrene Packaging: Clean polystyrene packaging can be recycled, please place in a clear bag and place next to the bins  
Shrinkwrap (packaging): Recycling
Sushi (container): Recycling, empty all contents
Sushi (chopsticks, soy sauce): Landfill
Tin Foil/Plates: Landfill
Tissues: Landfill
Toner Cartridges: Ricoh Toner Collection Boxes will accept all toner cartridges (see below).

BATTERIES – Where do I recycle dead batteries?
Most departments have a batteries collection bin in the resource room, tearoom or other common area of each department building. If you are unable to find a bin, there is one in the foyer of Sustainability House, 118 Ilam Road. When the box is full contact Cleaning Services (extn 6481), giving them the location of the box.

Dovedale/College of Education staff only: put any batteries or toner cartridges by your department’s out-going mail box or drop off to Facilities Management office.

BIODEGRADABLE CUPS/PLATES – Why do these have to go in the Landfill bin?
The current organics collections are sorted off-site by a company that uses a machine unable to distinguish these items from similar plastic/cardboard versions and as such, rejects them as being non-organic. It is hoped that in the future, the UC will introduce on-site composting so that these biodegradable items can be composted as intended by the makers/users.

BOTTLE TOPS/LIDS – Why do bottle tops and lids have to be removed for bottles to be recyclable?
Because of the different types of materials used to make bottle lids these must be removed in order to ensure that the best quality recycling product can be gained from the glass and plastic bottles.  Plastic caps can then be put into the Recycling bins however metal caps should go in the Landfill bin.

COFFEE CUPS – Why can takeaway coffee cups be recycled at UC but not elsewhere?
Due to the UC’s contract with recycling and waste company Mastagard we are able to recycle takeaway coffee cups rather than send them to landfill. The low grade quality of coffee cups means they are often unable to be recycled, however Mastagard are able to mix a certain percentage of this with higher grade paper without there being negative effects. Comparatively, other areas that do not recycle such high amounts of high grade paper may find it more difficult or are unable to recycle coffee cups. At the collection point however, it is important that low-grade paper (and any dregs) is kept away from our high-grade paper recycling, so cups and lids should be placed in the Recycling bins.

ENVELOPES – Can I put envelopes with plastic windows in the paper bin?
Yes, these go in the Paper bin with other envelopes.

eWASTE – Where do I recycle used computer and electronic equipment?
For information on how to recycle eWaste at the UC go to: https://share.canterbury.ac.nz/ICTServices/Sustainability/eWaste/default.aspx . There is also a link to an FAQ sheet from that page.

LABELS – Do we have to remove labels from things that are recyclable? No, labels can be left on recyclables as they are usually removed in the cleaning process.

PAPER – Why can’t soiled/dirty paper be recycled?
Although the paper itself is recyclable, the residue left from food etc. that seeps into the paper makes it unable to be reused. If soiled paper or cardboard is found in with the clean paper and cardboard, those recycling may assume the whole bin is contaminated by the seepage and not recycle any of it. This means that good recyclable papers would be unable to be recycled due to soiled items. These items should therefore be placed in the Landfill bins.

TONER CARTRIDGES – Where do I recycle these?
Toner cartridges from printers, photocopiers and fax machines can be disposed of in the Ricoh toner cartridge collections boxes which will generally be located in department’s resource room and/ or the computer technician area. They accept all brands, not just Ricoh. To request a cartridge recycling box or if you have a full box to be emptied, please make a web-request to the UC Warehouse. Toner cartridges are all able to be reused or recycled so it is important not to send them to landfill.

Dovedale/College of Education staff only: put any batteries or toner cartridges by your department’s out-going mail box or drop off to Facilities Management office.

General FAQ’s

Where does UC’s waste go when it is taken off campus?
The UC has a contract with Mastagard, the only New Zealand recycling services and waste collection company to have achieved Enviro-mark Silver Level Status. On their website Mastagard state that they are: “first and foremost a recycling service and then a waste collection company. We are focused on ensuring that as much of your waste that can be recycled, is recycled. We are committed to a cleaner and greener New Zealand, we don’t own landfills and we are passionate about helping the environment.”

Mastagard pick up the separate waste collections from the UC and transport them to their plant in Bromley where the recycling and paper collections are further sorted into grades for best practice recycling. The Organics collection goes to Living Earth, and the Landfill rubbish goes to Christchurch’s main landfill at Kate Valley. For more about Mastagard go to:  http://www.mastagard.co.nz  

How do I order more paper trays or waste containers for the office?
To order more paper recycle trays or black waste containers for additional staff, simply put in a Beims web-request to the Warehouse stating how many paper trays and waste containers you need and where they they should be delivered to.
To request an additional batteries bin, or other kind of central bin, please contact Cleaning Services (extn. 6481).

Do the numbers inside the recycling sign on the bottom of plastic items indicate if they can be recycled?
Mastagard can recycle all products that are accepted in people’s homes via the council system. In essence, if it has a number on the bottom of it they can recycle it provided it is clean.

Why is it important to separate our waste into these separate bins?
Waste must be separated into these bins so it is able to be properly recycled. If recyclable materials are put in landfill bins this means they are simply left to fill up more space in these exponentially increasing landfills instead of being recycled into new and usable materials. This is also true for organic material; this can be beneficial either directly or through composting processes for garden areas, rather than being put in the Landfill where it contributes to the release of methane gas. By separating waste we are able to greatly reduce the amount of rubbish that is left to rot and take up space in our land; instead it is able to be re-utilised. This one step is one of the many ways you can contribute to a more sustainable campus, and a more sustainable Christchurch.