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Recycling and Waste

Recycling and proper waste segregation are a shared responsibility, and they only work when everyone participates. Every correctly sorted item conserves resources, reduces landfill waste, and strengthens recycling systems in the UAE.

Recycling Is Important, but Reducing and Reusing Should Come First

This can be done by reducing the use of single-use paper and plastics, choosing reusable alternatives whenever possible, and donating usable items during move-out periods so they can benefit other students instead of being discarded.

Special Waste Streams

On campus, food waste and electronic waste (e-waste) are managed through dedicated systems to ensure safe, sustainable, and responsible processing.

Recycling and Waste at NYU Abu Dhabi

All residential buildings include a designated refuse room. This is the room where all waste from the building must be taken and properly sorted.
- One refuse room per floor
- Clearly marked bins for paper, plastic, and cans
- Designated bins for glass and food waste
- Garbage chutes are for general waste only
Residents are responsible for bringing their waste to the refuse room and sorting it correctly to prevent contamination.
Student residences also use refuse rooms for waste collection and sorting.
- Refuse rooms are located on the second floor (ground/entry level)
- Clearly marked bins for general waste, plastic, cans, and paper
- Designated bins for glass and food waste
Administrative buildings contain multiple waste disposal stations throughout each facility.
- Typically located near doorways, entrances, elevators, and common areas
Understanding the journey of NYUAD's recycling helps ensure confidence in the system.

Materials are collected and sorted by EFS team members in refuse rooms.

NYUAD’s waste partner, Beaah, transports recyclables to various recycling centers based on the type. Other materials are processed by secondary recyclers in the UAE.
NYUAD supports waste prevention through:
- Card4Cup — Reusable cup program at coffee outlets to prevent the purchase of single-use cups.
- Green Takeout Box Program — Reusable takeaway containers to prevent food waste and single-use takeout box waste.
- Mindful Printing Initiative — A soft cap on printing balances to prevent unnecessary paper consumption.
- Green Events Standard and Green Workplace Certification — Responsible procurement and waste reduction guidance to prevent unnecessary material consumption for single-term events.
- Closed-Loop Aluminum Recycling — Due to high coffee consumption, NYUAD established a closed-loop recycling program for aluminum coffee capsules. Since March 2024, approximately 600 kg of capsules have been returned to Nespresso for recycling, preventing landfill waste.
Before throwing something away, NYUAD encourages the community to consider donating it to others in need:
- EFS collects and donates usable linens and clothing during move-out periods.
- Donations go to organizations such as Red Crescent and Operation Smile.
- The Office of Sustainability is working to reinstate the Re-circulation Center, allowing students to pass usable items forward to incoming first-year and returning students.
NYUAD diverts nearly all dining food waste from landfill using the ORCA food digester.
- Soft food waste from campus dining facilities is placed into the digester.
- The ORCA system breaks down organic waste into greywater.
- The water is filtered to remove fats and oils.
- It is then safely released into the drainage system in accordance with environmental regulations.
In doing so, NYUAD significantly reduces the volume of organic material sent to landfill, helping to prevent the generation of methane, a potent greenhouse gas produced when food waste decomposes in landfill conditions.
Electronic waste (e-waste) and batteries require specialized handling due to potentially hazardous components such as lead, mercury, and other toxic materials. Improper disposal can pose risks to both human health and the environment.

What Is E-waste?

Any discarded, broken, or obsolete electrical or electronic device with a plug, cord, or batteries.

Examples include:
- Laptops and computers
- Printers
- Cables and chargers
- Small electronic devices
- Batteries
How E-waste Is Managed on Campus
- E-waste is collected upon request by a Waste Management Operative.
- Items are stored in the central waste area.
- Once sufficient volume is reached, materials are collected by an authorized recycling contractor for proper recycling and disposal.