The circular economy at UWE Bristol

The circular economy is a key principle of our approach. It is based on key principles which are linked with design, system and behaviour change:

• eliminate waste and pollution
• circulate products and materials
• regenerate nature.

Underpinned by a transition to renewable energy and materials, the circular economy is a resilient system that is good for business, people and the environment. 

2030 strategy targets

• Tackling annual total waste: reduce annual waste per person by 10% by 2026, against 2018/19 baseline (excluding construction waste).
• Increase reuse activity to be equal or greater than 10% of total waste produced in tonnes, including construction reuse.
• Recycling rate target: 70% by mass of all waste to be recycled by 2026.
• In support of the UK Plastics Pact, our research and teaching is focusing on delivering the technical solutions to support the Pact, as well as minimising unnecessary single use plastics from our operations.

Our figures for 2022/23 are:

• Total waste (including construction): 1,925 tonnes
• Total waste (excluding construction): 1,629 tonnes
• Recycling rate (including construction): 63%
• Recycling rate (excluding construction): 56.6%
• Reuse rate (excluding construction waste): 2.6%

In practice, we not only need different systems of design and production but also for people to change how they do things. The following initiatives support people to make simple planet friendly changes at UWE Bristol.

• Use the Sustainability Hubs on Frenchay Campus and Bower Ashton Campus for sharing and swapping clothes, books, household items, and more.
• Visit the Reuse Marketplace for furniture to claim reused items for work and home — visit our Sharepoint site (UWE Bristol staff only).
• Visit our newly opened Library of Things by the bus stops at Frenchay Campus, where you can borrow anything from a tent to kitchen equipment for a small annual fee.
• Bring your own coffee cup and you won’t have to pay the 30p charge for a single-use cup in UWE Bristol cafés.
• Buy a refurnished laptop or phone or get your own mended at the Frenchay Campus Fix my tek store.
• Come along to one of our mending and repair workshops for clothes and electrical equipment — find upcoming sustainability events.
• For more ideas on how to reuse and recycle visit Hubbub – tips for change.

We can support you by providing advice on developing project ideas, data, and waste and resource management industry contacts.

Here are examples of study projects which have helped us to improve the sustainability of UWE Bristol:

• Hackathon with Team Entrepreneurship students working with our contractor Suez to find solutions for reusing difficult materials.
• Capturing student views and feedback on Returnable Coffee Cup Scheme in partnership with City to Sea.

There are also opportunities for volunteering, student placements and internships. Contact us at sustainability@uwe.ac.uk for more information.

Volunteering at the Sustainability Hub

The Sustainability Hub provides students and staff with an easy way to swap and pass on reusable items. Students can volunteer here – a fun and flexible way to gain practical experience of reuse as well as meeting like-minded people and gaining a reference. Sign up on Infohub (login required).