Nouse.co.uk » Vanbrugh tops recycling charts

Vanbrugh tops recycling charts

June 30, 2009
Ben Gascoyne

Leaked YUSU and Campus Services recycling figures have identified shortcomings by colleges in ensuring waste is recycled at an acceptable rate.

The figures show Vanbrugh College as the top recycler, managing 5.71kg per head of recycled material between October and December 2008, and 5.9kg between January and March this year.

Following is James College, who were behind by a sizeable margin in both periods. In contrast Derwent and Langwith, who had their figures combined for the results, revealed the lowest amount recycled per person in the University. The two colleges only recycled 1.15kg per head in the first period, and 2.25kg in the second.

“It’s ridiculous, we never recycle anything even though we really know we should. It just doesn’t get done and nobody seems too concerned about changing it,” said Beth Williams, a first-year Derwent student. The poor results for Derwent College come despite an attempt earlier in the year by JCR Eco Reps Lisa Mill and Helen Fry to encourage recycling through offering prizes to the highest recycling accommodation block. Halifax also showed worryingly low results.

The statistics, which were sent between members of YUSU over the last month, have yet to be released publicly.

According to government figures however, the results identify that the University is behind in recycling in all colleges. The most recent statistics showed 43.25kg recycled waste per head for a 3 month period in England, a figure that all colleges failed to meet.

The University figures come after a UGM that attempted to address environmental issues, but made no reference to addressing problems with a lack of recycling by students. The UGM itself was criticised for a low turnout.