The university has been needlessly wasting money in their methods of recycling in the Harry Fairhurst building.
Students first discovered several weeks ago that the separate holes in the bins for recycling paper, plastics and ‘general waste’ were being directed into the same bin bag.
This raised concerns that the University was tricking students and pretending to recycle. Vision has since found out that this is not the case however.
Post-it notes appearing on bins around the building alerting users that “these two holes go into the SAME bin-bag. The University is LYING to us about recycling!” are infact mistaken.
The rubbish is in fact separated, just by contractors at a later date and at needless extra cost.
The University issued a statement on the matter, saying, that “whilst various wastes are disposed of together in a co-mingling system […] paper and plastics were separated by contractors” and insisting that recycling did take place, and that, whilst redundant, the different holes for separation were “an historical matter.”
The Glasdon NEXUS 100 Recycling Bank, the model of bin in question, is a dual-stream unit which collects source-separated recyclables in a single container.
Each unit costs in the order of £300, a costly sum considering that they are not being used for their very function.
Vision spoke to YUSU Environment and Ethics Officer Isobel Edwards, who said; “The University is already lagging behind in the environmental stakes, according to the People and Plant Green League.”
Whilst the University is clearly trying to address the fact that it is not seen as a partcularly ‘green’ institution, this method of recycling is neither efficient nor cost effective.
Perhaps they have spent so much money on the bins that they are unable to afford the required number of bin bags?
A second-year Law student said that he thought the situation was “laughable” and that “this is an absurd way for the University to be spending our fees. £300 for what is effectively just an incorrectly used plastic bin?”
“It’s just stupid really,” second-year Economics student Finn McGuire told Vision, “it makes no sense, the University are literally just throwing money down the drain.”
No, Finn – the university are literally wasting money on bins they are not correctly using. They are metaphorically just throwing money down the drain. Dolt.
Two Ecosort bins from the Straight plc range to provide a dual stream collection, would cost less than £100 including graphics.
As the material is being collected commingled, one bin would suffice – so £50. Straight plc – for tomorrow’s world, and at a good price too looking at what others are charging!
Segregating at source is the best way to recycle material effectively. Biffa could help provide a solution to pay a rebate for source segregated material to provide an income stream for the university.