Guide to improving recycling rate using new 4-stream bins

Since our last update in October, Campus Services and Sodexo have been installing new, centralised, four-stream bins in UCL buildings. As new bins are put in place, older bins are being removed, including all under-desk bins. 

Lab and hazardous/clinical waste bins are not part of this bin upgrade project, and all hazardous/clinical bins and lab bins will remain the same. 

How to use the new bins 

The new bins enable us to segregate waste and recycling at source into four streams: 

• Rubbish (non-recyclable waste) 
• Mixed recycling (plastic, glass and cans) 
• Paper and card 
• Food 

The recycling system can only cope with a small amount of contamination (wrong materials, food or liquid), so we need everyone's help to make sure we’re recycling the good stuff. 

Important – All mixed recycling items must be free of contamination. If recycling items cannot be cleaned they must go into the black section for rubbish to ensure recycling is not contaminated. 

Black label: Rubbish (non-recyclable waste)

This section is for non-recyclable items like food packaging contaminated with liquids or food. Use this section for: 

• Contaminated packaging such as food containers  
• Chewing gum 
• Wet items 
• Polystyrene  
• Crisp packets 
• Soft plastics (such as plastic bags)  
• Single use coffee cups  

• Tissues and napkins 

Green Label: Mixed recycling (plastic, glass and cans) 

This section is for almost all dry, food-free, materials. Use this section for: 

• Cans  
• Plastic bottles and containers  
• Glass bottles and jars 

Blue label: Paper and card 

This section is for almost all dry, food-free, materials. Use this section for: 

• Paper  
• Cardboard - must be flattened and folded 
• Magazines  
• Newspapers 

Orange label: Food 

This section is for all food products, whether cooked or uncooked – please do not include the food packaging. These materials are taken off-site and broken down at an anaerobic digestion plant. Use this section for: 

• Fruit and vegetables  
• Meat and fish  
• Tea bags and coffee grounds  
• Bread  
• Dairy products  
• Rice, pasta and beans  
• Eggs and eggshells 

When new bins are being installed 

We will be upgrading bins in two stages. The first stage started in October and will finish in March 2026. The next stage will begin after April. 

View the Bin Deployment Spreadsheet to see when bins in your area are due to be upgraded – please note this deployment plan is subject to change.  

Area Facility Managers (AFMs) and Building Managers will be in contact with Building User Groups when buildings are due to be upgraded, and Campus Services will maintain a presence in each building before new bins are installed to answer any queries.   

Note on accessibility and further information about changes to waste management services  

We have published a series of FAQs about the segregation and collection of waste on campus as part of a wider update on our proposed changes to cleaning and waste management services.  

If you have any queries that aren’t covered in the FAQs please contact campusservices@ucl.ac.uk in the first instance.