Jump to Content

Waste

The University of Galway Sustainability Strategy 2021-2025 commits to "Prioritise prevention of waste at every opportunity through eco-design, reuse and repair. Recycle and re-use waste in ways that promote resource efficiency, reduce cost, protect health and the environment and move us towards a circular economy." The University adopts the ‘waste hierarchy’ of prevention, reuse, recycling, other recovery and disposal. The University implements processes, procedures and initiatives that ensure compliance with environmental legislation and best practice and which encourage waste producers to reduce the overall waste that they produce, and prevent waste production wherever possible. Over the past few years, we have made great strides in the reduction, reuse, recycling, monitoring and reporting of waste on campus.

The University of Galway Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling Guidelines apply to all staff, students, contractors and catering partners who produce waste on campus. The Guidelines are applicable across the entire campus including student residences which will soon be home to over 1800 students. The Guidelines also seek to provide guidance for procurement decision in relation to ensuring waste reduction is a key decision making criteria when making purchasing decisions.

The document sets out policies for the following waste streams:

General waste - including a 'zero waste to landfill' policy
Mixed recycling
Organic waste
Confidential waste
Hazardous waste
Electrical Items & Batteries (WEEE)
Glass & Aluminium
Printer Cartridges
Reduction of Plastics & Disposable Items

The Guidelines apply to all suppliers and outsourced service providers. University of Galway wishes to work with suppliers and service providers who share our values when it comes to environmental responsibility. Providers who win a tender to operate one of our venues will be required to work with the University Sustainability Office, University Buildings and Estates Services plus other student/staff groups to find solutions to sustainability linked issues and/or to deliver environmental/ sustainability projects.

The Guidelines also outline our approach to waste tracking. Waste quantity data is collected from our contractors. General Waste & Recyclable waste on campus is measured via RFID Chip Devices fitted to the collection trucks, and each bin is weighed before disposal. All waste contractors must ensure that they provide such data on a monthly basis so we can track and monitor performance.

The University of Galway Waste Management Report 2024 provides a comprehensive overview of all our waste streams from general waste to recycling and shares examples of our efforts to reduce waste on campus. The report includes detailed data, outlines our monitoring and tracking processes, from waste characterisation surveys to analysis reports, shares progress on our performance indicators and presents our future plans for waste management improvements. Further data sets are available on the Buildings & Estates website.

In September 2024, University of Galway eliminated single-use cups from all campus catering outlets. This follows the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate which requires public sector bodies to "cease using disposable cups, plates and cutlery". We are encouraging the campus community to:

Use your mug - bring your reusable hot beverage cup to campus. Cup washers have been installed throughout campus to help you keep your cup clean. All incoming first years have received a free reusable cup. Travel mugs can also be purchased at the SU Shop.
Order your beverage in a ceramic mug, available in most campus catering outlets. Please leave the ceramic mug in the catering outlet.

Zero Waste to Landfill

University of Galway is accredited with a “Zero Waste to Landfill” certificate. Zero Waste to Landfill is the process by which waste generated on the NUI Galway campus is processed to maximise the recovery of the recyclable materials and that any residual waste that cannot be recycled is processed as refuse derived fuel for incineration. The energy generated, is used to generate electricity at waste to energy plants. None of the waste is disposed of to Landfill

Litter Picking

Litter picking is carried out daily across the campus. External litter bins are checked daily and emptied accordingly.

Bin The Bin

Bin The Bin is a binless office scheme, focusing on enhancing recycling in the workplace. It removes the traditional under-desk office bin and replaces this with dedicated recycling stations in key communal locations on every floor of the building.

Recycling

Examples of the waste recycling streams in operation on the University of Galway campus include: mixed recyclable waste, plastics, food waste, cardboard, glass, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), batteries and used printer cartridges. All processes and procuedures pertaining to the segregation and recycling of our key waste streams is contained in the University of Galway Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling Guidelines

Which plastics are recyclable?

All of the following are segregated and recycled during the routine process undertaken by our waste management contractors after they have collected all University waste.

PETE or PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
V or PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
PP (Polypropylene)

The exceptions are PS (Polystyrene) and Miscellaneous Plastics: SPI code 7

GENE (Geo-Environmental Engineering) Research Group

The Geo-Environmental Engineering (GENE) Research group, based at University of Galway, investigates the fate of phosphorus and nitrogen in soil-plant-water systems and the effects of agricultural management on soil and water quality.

One of GENE’s main research topics is resource recovery and resource efficacy:

use of materials for wastewater and water treatment
waste materials and chemicals as phosphorus and nitrogen adsorbents and soil amendments
recovery of precious metals
waste as energy sources and slow-release fertilisers

IBAL Survey

University of Galway achieved a Grade A for the standards of cleanliness and upkeep
of thecampus as part of the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey 2023. Carried out by An Taisce, the IBAL review takes place each year with spot checks across the country and towns and cities are ranked for their appearance, the presence of litter and the impression created for visitors and tourists. The IBAL report scored
University of Galway’s campus a Grade A.

Student Project - Organic Waste Circular Economy Process

Circular Waste Project Infographic

The University of Galway is taking a circular waste management approach to its organic waste, by sending it to Barna Recycling for composting, with part of the resulting compost then returned to campus for use as a fertilizer.

A project undertaken by Aurora Leytom, as part of her MSc in Environmental Leadership aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy and determine if the approach presents the best option for the university. Findings show that the university’s strategy has a lower global warming potential than sending waste to landfill, meaning the process contributes less to climate change. A promotional video has been developed as part of the project to share learnings and highlight the benefits of the circular economy among the wider community.

This project is a collaboration between Auroa Leyton, MSc student in Environmental Leadership, Dr Gesche Kindermann, MSc Course Director and key members of the Buildings & Estates team.

This project showcases University of Galway’s Learn Live Lead approach to sustainability.