Originally Published 10 May 2004

Environmentally aware members of staff may be interested to find out more about the University’s current environmental policy and the opportunities that exist for ‘doing your bit’ within the University campus.

Recycling Points
There are a number of glass recycling points on campus - these are situated next to the Rootes Building, in the Sports Centre car park and behind the Students’ Union North Building.
Aluminium cans can also be recycled on campus behind the Students’ Union and Rootes Building. A book bank for recycling unwanted books has recently been installed in the Sports Centre car park and can also be used to deposit unwanted records, cassette tapes, CDs and videos.
The British Heart Foundation’s recycling bank for clothing and bric-a-brac is situated next to the book bank.

ITS Disposal Service
ITS has also recently introduced a new desktop equipment disposal service, to encourage departments to get rid of unwanted computer equipment free of charge. With landfill sites across the UK filling up with unwanted computer equipment, it is crucial that the University disposes of its equipment in an environmentally friendly manner.
Those interested in the scheme should contact Gill Pearson on ext. 22224 for further details.

Printer/Toner Cartridge Recycling
Printer (laser and inkjet) and toner cartridges can also be recycled on campus. At present, there are several companies that work with the University on this initiative.

• Mercia Laser (01926 499533) currently collect from various departments and will take laser and inkjet/deskjet cartridges, including Epson. They will provide collection boxes and are prepared to collect from different parts of the University.
• Office Green (020 8592 9998) also works with the University and has a courier who will make the journey to collect, even without a full load.

Paper Recycling
Paper recycling is another important initiative and a recently launched pilot scheme will allow for the segregation of co-mingled white and coloured paper.
The idea is that staff should place co-mingled waste paper in collecting boxes marked ‘For paper only’, whilst bio-degradables, plastic and metal etc. should be placed in ‘general’ bins’.
The two types of boxes/bins will not be issued on an individual basis so staff will need to take their waste to them. This pilot exercise will allow the Estates Office to gauge whether the scheme is viable and likely to have positive outcomes.
The University also works with Crow Recycling (024 7655 2444), a registered charity based in Coventry. Weekly paper collections are currently made from various parts of campus, but interested members of staff should call the above number to arrange collection. There are small recycling boxes next to each of the printers in the Student Computer Centre and a recycling bag behind the Help Desk counter so anyone using the Centre can drop printouts in for recycling.

Getting to Work
Greener ways of travelling to work are also an important part of the University’s environmental plan.
Staff interested in cycling to work may find it useful to join the Bicycle User Group, which seeks to improve facilities for staff and students who use a bicycle at Warwick. Recent successes for the group include improved covered cycle parking, easier access for cyclists at the Lynchgate Road entrance and improved crossings over the A45. Current projects include a map showing cycle access routes to, from and across campus and a safer bicycle route to and from Kenilworth.

The University also subscribes to the travel-share website http://www.shareajourney.com, which aims to decrease the number of cars on the road by encouraging people to car share.
To subscribe to this service, email internalcomms@warwick.ac.uk to get the password and then visit the website and click ‘Join Today’.

Travelling by bus may also prove a viable and cost effective option for staff - as money raised from parking charges is used to subsidise bus services to campus. The recently formed Bus Users Group can give advice on issues such as routes and timetables.

For further information on environmental issues at the University, visit the Environment web pages at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/about/environment