Submitted by Grainne Kennedy on Fri, 2017-12-01 10:38
In November we ran a waste quiz which was completed by over 100 staff and students! We are very happy to announce that the randomly-drawn winners out of all the quiz participants are E.D Chan of the Sanger Institute and Claire Nellany of the Academic Division, both win Fairtrade wine and chocolates. You can still complete the quiz for fun here; otherwise skip to the answers below. Some of our waste facts may surprise you…
- How many tonnes of food waste did the University compost in 2016?
156 tonnes (equivalent weight of 2 space shuttles)
The University’s food waste collection was rolled out to University departments in 2016, with collected food waste going to be anaerobically digested. The product from this process is biogas, which is used as a sustainable energy source.
- Of all the recycled waste that the University departments throw into general waste bins, what percentage could have been recycled?
Answer:42%
Our recent bin busting session has shown that this figure has decreased and University departments have improved their segregation rates.
- Which of the following CANNOT be recycled in the University’s mixed recycling bins?
Answer:Polystyrene
While polystyrene cannot be recycled, some departments have taken action to send polystyrene packaging back to suppliers via ‘take-back’ schemes, and others have found suppliers who will take the polystyrene to be recycled. In the Hutchison MRC building, a ‘styromelt’ machine is used to melt down the polystyrene into bricks which are collected by a recycling contractor.
- The University’s catering service has avoided disposing of 60,000 disposable coffee cups in the last 3 years. How have they done this?
Answer: Staff have an option to purchase a reusable KeepCup and receive a discount every time they purchase a beverage
Discounts are also offered by all University catering outlets and some café chains when you use your own cup
- How is the University’s non-recyclable waste disposed of?
Answer: Non-recyclable waste is converted into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and used in an Energy from Waste (EFW) plant.
- When dealing with rubbish, according to the UK government which of the following should always be considered first?
Answer: Reduce it (buy less of the product or opt for less packaging).
Note that following the ‘waste hierarchy’ including prioritising reduction of waste is actually a legal requirement for businesses, as part of the waste duty of care!
- What proportion of energy is saved by making an aluminium can from recycled materials rather than from raw materials?
Answer: 95%
- How long does it take for the average UK citizen to throw away their own body weight in waste?
Answer: 7 weeks
- The Counselling Service set up a recycling network last year for which waste stream? (Funds raised from this project go toward supporting a mental health charity in Cambridge, that works with young people)
Answer: Writing instruments
Collection locations can be found on the University map. If you would like to arrange a collection in your department please contact us.
- What is unusual about the waste collection system at the University’s newest development, Eddington?
Answer: Bins are stored underground
- How many times can glass be recycled?
Answer: Indefinitely
- If everyone in the UK recycled 10% more paper, approximately how many trees could be saved?
Answer: 5 million trees