Scottish Universities and Colleges urged to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Waste Aware Campus, a new online resource to encourage Scottish universities and colleges to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle their waste, was launched on Wednesday 23 July 2008 by Waste Aware Scotland.

The Waste Aware Campus website: www.wasteawarecampus.org.uk contains a number of ‘How to Guides’ providing practical information and advice for staff and students on how to set up a recycling scheme and raise awareness of waste recycling and waste prevention initiatives. A Recycling Directory allows staff to find organisations that can provide recycling collections for campuses. There is also a Poster Creator to enable staff and students to create and download posters to raise awareness and help implement campus recycling schemes.

Students can also find out how they themselves can raise awareness of waste prevention and other environmental causes in the Environmental Campaigning section of the new website.

Welcoming the move, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Richard Lochhead said: “I am delighted to see Scotland’s university and college sector looking to tackle waste head on. It is important that staff and students alike are aware of what they can do to help as we aspire towards a Zero Waste Scotland.”

The website has also been endorsed by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) to promote waste reduction, reuse and recycling within Scottish universities and colleges.

Iain Patton, Executive Director of EAUC said: “This is a first-class resource that puts a number of very useful tools and resources under one umbrella and makes it simple for the staff on campuses to see what is relevant and available in their own local area. I’m particularly impressed by the fact that Waste Aware Campus is also an aid to students. It allows them to determine what they can do to reduce the impact of their own personal waste, whether they live at home or in a flat and gives excellent information to those who may want to consider a career in the waste industry.”

The concepts of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are explained along with examples of how staff and students can participate in these activities on campus and in the home.

In addition, staff and students can find out how other campuses are becoming Waste Aware through the Case Studies section. Campuses are also invited to send information about their own efforts to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, which may then be featured as a case study.

For students considering a career in waste management the website contains Career Profiles and advice on how to get that all important work experience.

Whether you are a student, member of staff, or simply want to find out more, visit the new website at www.wasteawarecampus.org.uk. Comments and queries can be sent to Emma Niedzwiedz by email at campus@wasteawarescotland.org.uk.