Resource management

Sustainable procurement  

Our Sustainable Procurement Action Plan (Word Doc, 476KB) outlines our commitment to changing our buying behaviour, embracing the circular economy and moving away from a linear model. To reduce the amount we buy, we encourage the sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing or refurbishing of products before opting to purchase new ones.   

Responsible use of plastics   

We're committed to the responsible use of plastics, including its reduction, reuse and recycling to allow for circularity and efficiency. We’re leading on plastics research, exploring new and more sustainable ways to make, use and recycle it. Our Responsible Plastics Action Plan (Word Doc, 233KB) details the targets we look to achieve by 2025.

Furniture and stationery 

The University operates a furniture re-use store , with a dedicated team collecting unwanted furniture and refurbishing it for reuse or charity. The furniture is the first port of call for new office furniture for our staff and students. It helps to divert 60-80 tonnes of furniture each year to local company UpMcr for re-use rather than disposal. It also goes to good causes, including schools.   

Laboratory equipment 

LabGoods4Reuse (LG4R) in 2024 – an innovative initiative designed to reuse resources, reduce waste, provide essential equipment, and free up valuable space through laboratory ‘rehoming.’ 

The uptake has been fantastic, with over 500 items rehomed across 70 different lab groups, saving more than £250,000 in equipment and consumables. LG4R is fostering a sustainable culture, encouraging staff to check for available resources before purchasing new laboratory equipment. 

To explore available items or contribute to the initiative, check with the LG4R team before making new purchases. Please contact LabGoods4Reuse@manchester.ac.uk 

Bee Cup 

As part of our Bee Cup scheme, we provide staff and students with reusable cups to reduce waste. Bee Cups are free if returned within 14 days, while disposable cups incur a 50p charge. Once used, simply return your Bee Cup to a designated drop-off point for washing and re-use. 

Several locations on Oxford Road will be taking part in the scheme alongside every café on campus. This includes:

• The Students’ Union
• Benugo
• Royal Northern College of Music
• Eighth Day
• Bold Street 

Download the Vytal app, get your first drink free and start using the Bee Cup.    

Recycling on campus 

Across our campus, we offer recycling and drop off points for a wide variety of different waste and reusable items such as packaging, vapes, food waste, and clothing. 

To find out more about what you can recycle on campus please check out our handy On Campus Recycling Guide (PDF, 1,321KB)

Alternatively, use our interactive recycling map to find exactly what you can drop of and recycle where. 

If you need assistance disposing of waste such as chemicals, confidential documents, large quantities of food, office clear-outs, or hazardous materials, please refer to our specialist waste resources. 

Recycling off campus 

We understand that for staff and students visiting Manchester for the first time, figuring out what and where to recycle off-campus can be challenging. 

To help our students, we have developed this handy guide to recycling in our Halls of Residence (PDF, 999KB). 

Alternatively, visit the Recycle Now to find exactly what you can recycle in your local area.  

Where the disposal of waste is the only viable option, we seek to use more sustainable treatment technologies. Our current waste policy ensures that zero waste is sent directly to landfill. We take all non-recyclable (residual) waste to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Trafford Park where it is shredded before being transferred to a facility in Ferry Bridge in West Yorkshire, run by Multifuel Energy Ltd, where it is used as a Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF).  

Find out more about how the University disposes of waste.