Yorwaste Ltd, Northallerton, North Yorkshire - Case Studies

Case Study - University of York

In 2005, the University of York awarded the contract for the collection and recycling of waste from the campus to a joint venture between City of York Council and Yorwaste.

A spokesman for the university explains that a major element in the decision to award the contract was of the reputation of the City of York Council as one of the best local authorities in the UK for recycling.

The campus is home to some 4,500 students, most of whom are enthusiastic about recycling and helping to ameliorate climate change. Accordingly, they cooperate by source-separating their waste, which comprises a mixture of residential, catering and general business waste. Of this, approximately 40 per cent is recycled. In 2007, this amounted to more than 380 tonnes of cardboard, paper, cans, plastics and glass.

Yorwaste works very closely with the university to identify opportunities and new ways to increase recycling rates. Consequently, recycling volumes are rising month on month. In January 2008, for example, 34.3 tonnes of waste were recycled, 26% more than in January 2007.

Ken Davidson, Yorwaste's Sales & Marketing Manager, said: "Like the University of York, Yorwaste is committed to seeking new ways to increase the amount of waste we recycle and we fully support all new initiatives aimed at encouraging students to play an even greater part in this."

One successful recent initiative, organised in March to coincide with the end of the trimester, was the "clear your kitchen" scheme. This was aimed at attracting non-food waste, including such things as old or broken knives and forks.