• Become a resource-efficient and zero-waste campus, defined as less than 5% waste going to landfill by 2030
• Manage resources efficiently, prevent and minimise waste, and increase recycling and participation across all University operations
• Manage waste in line with the waste hierarchy, prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery, and disposal, ensuring that we prioritise waste prevention and reduction before any form of disposal

Effective waste management contributes directly to several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 14 Life Below Water
• SDG 15 Life on Land

Our key areas of focus are: 

• Waste prevention through responsible procurement, reduced single‑use materials, and reuse of furniture and equipment.
• Improved segregation, recycling participation, and composting.
• Ongoing engagement, training, and audits to drive behaviour change and continuous improvement.

Resource and waste management are vital for global sustainable development. The disposal of waste presents a significant challenge to the University, while reusing and recycling resources presents an opportunity to reduce waste.

Central to our approach is working towards becoming a resource‑efficient, zero‑waste campus, with waste reduction and circular economy principles embedded across operations, procurement, and contractor management. To achieve this:  

• Waste is managed in line with the waste hierarchy, prioritising prevention, reuse and recycling ahead of recovery and disposal.
• Sustainability and waste‑minimisation requirements apply to all outsourced and contracted services, ensuring consistent standards across campus.
• Policies and action plans actively guide delivery, with progress monitored through audits, data collection, and engagement.

On the 8 December 2025, six students joined the Sustainability Team to learn about waste, the impact it has, and what best practices students can take to reduce their consumption.

During 2026, the University donated surplus furniture to schools, one of which to receive some was Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich.

Continued progress was made in reducing waste and embedding circular economy principles across the University; highlights include:

• Total waste reduced by 7.82%, from 119.76 tonnes to 110.394 tonnes.
• 95% diversion from landfill maintained, supporting our target of less than 5% to landfill by 2030.
• Total waste‑related emissions: 3.493 tCO₂e.
• Successful diversion of WEEE waste (0.18 tonnes) and unused hand sanitiser (1.895 tonnes) through reuse and specialist recovery.
• Five waste audits were completed across academic and operational areas, strengthening compliance and identifying further reduction opportunities.

For further details, please refer to the Sustainability Report 2024/25.