University opens dedicated recycling hub

The Estates Department has officially opened its dedicated Recycling Hub that will help increase the amount of items that can be collected for recycling, ranging from battery and gas canisters to electrical items, wood and metal.

The official opening took place on Monday 6 November with the ceremonial cutting of a hazardous waste tape and was attended by members of the Estates Department and East Kent Recycling.

The 450 metre squared site has been built over the last two years in an effort to ensure the University can collect and store as much of its own waste as possible before it is sent for recycling.

In total there are 17 different types of waste that can be stored in the facility, including aerosols, soil waste, lamps and lightning tubes and fridges. The site also has a purpose built sump drain to ensure any fluids that leak from items do not contaminate the surrounding land.

The University of Kent has made major strides with its recycling efforts over the past two years, with a huge 2,315 tonnes of waste disposed of by controlled environmental methods in the 2016-17 academic year, the equivalent of 17 blue whales, 210 Tyrannosaurus-Rex, or 126 full UniBuses.

The University has cut its carbon emissions by 14.4% since 2005 and is on track to reach a target of 20% by 2023. Water waste has also been cut by 15% in the last 12 months.