For more information on our Waste and Recycling targets, aims and objectives please read our University of Kent Waste Strategy 2021-2026. 

Read the user guide for the new recycling hub

Please click on the items listed below to find out how to dispose of your waste, where your nearest facility is and what happens to the waste once it leaves the University. Please note: All general waste skips on campus must now display the completed skip signage form.

Unless otherwise stated this applies to both the Canterbury and Medway campuses. These disposal procedures have been prepared to ensure that the University complies with all relevant waste legislation, that materials are disposed of in a cost effective manner and in the most environmentally sound way (in accordance with the waste hierarchy). If your waste stream is not listed, or you are unsure about what to do, please email csefmcoordinator@kent.ac.uk.

The University produces a large amount of waste, but by managing our waste streams effectively we can reduce our impact on the environment.  We use the principles of the waste hierarchy to do this with the help of our students and staff:

Within the past 5 years 157.4 tonnes of items have been reused by the University of Kent, its staff and students. This has been through the reuse schemes of the British Heart Foundation, Canterbury Food Bank, Warp-it and STUFF (Student Food Bank and Freecycle) to name a few. This is equivalent to the weight of an adult blue whale, the largest animal to have existed.

Warp-it

Our aim in the Commercial Services & Estates Department is to reuse items wherever possible. As of May 2023 we have saved over £1.1m on purchasing costs through using Warp-it alone.*

Before buying new furniture please consider our new reuse scheme called , this is an online facility where you can view and request surplus new or nearly new furniture available across campus.

Two good reasons for this is to reduce our carbon footprint and second it is free!

Please sign up for a Warp-it account today and start your search for the item/s you need. You can also list items you do not require for other members of staff to take off your hands. So think sustainably before ordering new. We may not always have what you need but it is worth giving us a try before you spend any money.

If you know of any departments skipping old furniture or items please let us know because there are a number of charities and schools that we also work with who would appreciate any items.

For more information please contact us on warpit@kent.ac.uk

Click here to sign up.

*Items remain the property of the University, must remain on site, and are not for private use

As part of our commitment to reusing items, we have partnered with Kent Union in our flagship reuse programme Stuff, Student Foodbank and Freecycle.

We have a permanent location in Eliot where you can donate and collect food items such as tinned fruit, tinned vegetables, tinned meat, pasta sauces, pasta, rice, noodles, UHT milk, pots, pans, cutlery, mugs etc.

For more information please visit www.kentunion.co.uk/stuff

The Waste and Recycling Service Level Statement provides a comprehensive overview of the services offered.