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Recycling and Waste

Recycling and Waste

NYUAD is committed to waste minimization through collection services, and upstream solutions through purchasing and IT sustainability, and programs like the Green Events Standard and Green Workplace Certification.

  • What Does NYU Abu Dhabi Recycle?

    NYUAD recycles paper, cans, and plastic. The type of materials being recycled within the UAE is limited as recycling is a relatively new operation here. Recycling opportunities along with awareness are growing at a rapid pace and as new recycling opportunities become available, NYUAD will continue to expand its recycling program. As always, it is much better to reduce the waste produced or reuse it than send it for recycling.

    Locations

    Faculty and Staff Residences — Garbage-chute Rooms, B1 and B2

    There is one refuse room on each floor of B1 and B2 with recycling bins in addition to the chutes, to assist with recycling clarity. The bins are clearly marked for plastic, cans, and paper. There are also signs indicating where to place glass items and cardboard boxes. The garbage chutes are for general waste.

    Around Campus

    Recycling bins are located in every administrative building on campus and on the main walkways outdoors.

    Residential Colleges

    Each A block has a refuse room on the second floor. Residents take both their recyclables and general waste to these refuse rooms.

    What's allowed: CLEAN items only. No food or liquids.

    Paper

    • Magazines, newspapers, catalogs, white and colored paper (lined, copier, computer)
    • Mail and envelopes
    • Paper bags
    • Wrapping paper
    • Cardboard (egg cartons, trays, shoe boxes, tubs, file folders, packaging)
    • Clean pizza boxes
    • Paper cups
    • Corrugated boxes

    Cans and Plastic

    • Metal cans (soda, soup)
    • Metal or plastic caps and lids
    • Plastic bottles and jugs
    • Plastic food containers

    Not allowed: wet paper, batteries or electronics, plastic bags, plastic films, Styrofoam

    Why do we only recycle certain materials?

    The type of materials being recycled within the UAE is limited as recycling is a relatively new operation here. Recycling opportunities along with awareness are growing at a rapid pace and as new recycling opportunities become available, NYUAD will continue to expand its recycling program. As always, it is much better to reduce the waste produced or reuse it than send it for recycling.

     

    Where Does NYUAD Recycling Go?

    • Recyclables: A Serco team member collects recyclables from the bins on campus, which are then sorted into bins in refuse rooms on level B2. VEET, our waste management partner, delivers NYUAD's recyclables to Union Paper Mills in Dubai.
    • Paper materials are recycled on-site.
    • Any remaining recyclables are sold to secondary or tertiary recyclers in the UAE or abroad.

    How Much of Campus Waste is Recycled?

    The Abu Dhabi government mandates reducing waste by 25 percent each year whether through recycling or actual waste reduction. In 2020, NYUAD diverted 29 percent of waste from landfill.

    Residential Cooking Oil

    NYUAD does not have a formal program for taking recycled oil from residents. However, residents may purchase a galvanized steel can, which the Facilities team can collect and recycle the oil.

    Surplus

    NYUAD has established the following methods to maximize the value from asset disposal. Where the options below exist and offers value:

    1. Recycle or reengineer the asset for reuse within the university.
    2. Negotiate or trade-in with supply chain to realize value.
    3. Auction.
    4. Donate to prequalified government entities.
    5. Disposal as a “last resort.”

    A sustainable “cradle-to-cradle” model is to be employed while managing the acquisition and disposal process. Contact NYUAD Facilities Helpdesk to submit an application for asset disposal.