We encourage recycling wherever possible and aim to provide sufficient and accessible resources for a range of recycling schemes.
Please look at the Recyclopedia and the ‘What Can Be Recycled’ guide below to find out what does and doesn’t go in the recycling bins on campus:
Bywaters Recyclopedia
Bywaters Waste Guide [PDF 585KB]
For general information about recycling in Tower Hamlets, see this alternative guide:
Tower Hamlets Recycling Guide
Make sure all food containers are rinsed before recycling, otherwise food waste may spoil everything else in the bin.
Battery recycling stations are being located across QMUL in order to prevent them being sent to landfill. It is particularly important to recycle batteries as the contain heavy metals which contaminate the environment around landfill sites. Please drop any used batteries (without trailing wires) at these locations. All batteries are collected other than car batteries. Always try to use rechargeable batteries wherever possible. The stations are located at:
Mile End Campus
Charterhouse Square
Whitechapel
West Smithfield
If your nearest recycling station is full, please contact the Estates and Facilities Helpdesk by calling 020 7882 2580 or emailing eaf-helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk.
The Students' Union operates a book swap shelf in Ground Café on Mile End campus where you can leave books and swap them for something new. There is also a book collection point for book donations outside Mile End library. Alternatively, you can drop them off at nearby charity shops.
CDs and DVDs suitable for reuse can be donated at nearby charity shops. Non-usable CDs and DVDs are considered hazardous waste and should be sent to the ITS Helpdesk who will arrange shedding and recycling with a licensed waste carrier. You can contact the ITS Helpdesk in person by visiting Queens’ Building W209, calling 020 7882 8888, or emailing helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk.
Clothes and shoes that can be worn again should be donated to the British Heart Foundation via donation banks on campus. There are currently three donation banks on the Mile End campus. You can also drop them off at nearby charity shops.
Clothes and shoes that are unbearable (e.g. underwear, stained clothes, unrepairable clothes) should be taken to your nearest textile recycling point - some charity shops and H&M stores have them.
The Ground Café and the Union Café on Mile End Campus have a coffee cup recycling bin, but otherwise coffee cups should go in general waste bins. Coffee cups can not be recycled through regular mixed recycling bins due to the thin lining of plastic used to prevent them from leaking. We encourage using reusable cups - you will get a 50p discount across the following Queen Mary and Students' Union cafés and restaurants if you bring your own cup:
Queen Mary University - The Curve, Cafe Grad, QMC & Nucleus.
SU - Ground, Union Shop, Village Shop and The Griff.
There are food waste caddies in some office kitchen spaces. Please see the adjacent poster to find what does and doesn’t go in the food waste bins.
We have separate schemes for reducing and recycling food waste commercial kitchens and outlets, as well as a foodbank scheme in the Students’ Union. Please see the page linked below for more information.
Food Waste
Please contact the Estates and Facilities Helpdesk to arrange collection, by calling 020 7882 2580 or emailing eaf-helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk. Due to refurbishment works, we no longer have the furniture store in the basement of the Queens' Building.
Lightbulbs and Florescent Tubes should be recycled via the Estates and Facilities Helpdesk. To contact them call 020 7882 2580, or email eaf-helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk.
Metal tins and cans can be put in mixed recycling bins across the various campuses. Large amounts of metal should be recycled via the Estates and Facilities Helpdesk. To contact them call 020 7882 2580, or email eaf-helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk.
Stationery suitable for reuse can be donated at nearby charity shops.
Toner and Printer Cartridges can be dropped off to The Copy Shop for recycling. For more information please visit the Copy Shop website.
If you have a large quantity or you are not based on the Mile End Campus, please contact the ITS Helpdesk and request a collection. You can contact the ITS Helpdesk in person by visiting Queens’ Building W209, calling 020 7882 8888, or emailing helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk.
IT hardware should be sent to the ITS Helpdesk to be recycled. You can contact the ITS Helpdesk in person by visiting Queens’ Building W209, calling 020 7882 8888, or emailing helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk.
All other electrical items (e.g. laboratory equipment, cookers, washing machines, dryers, televisions, fridges etc.) should be send to the Estates and Facilities Helpdesk. To contact them call 020 7882 2580, or email eaf-helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk.
Wood should be recycled via the Estates and Facilities Helpdesk. To contact them call 020 7882 2580, or email eaf-helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk.