Items we're not collecting and why

Batteries

Collection is on hold as our collection agency waits for confirmation on new safety standards. We cannot safely collect and store these in the interim.

Coffee capsules

Some brands of coffee capsule are being collected but we are limited by what the recycling company can recycle. The best alternatives are still to avoid purchasing capsule machines or using refillable capsules.

Compostable plates, bowls, cutlery etc.

Commercial compost collection companies in Wellington cannot take compostable containers, cutlery etc. on a regular basis as it unbalances their compost. A better solution is reusables.

Curtains

You can take curtains to The Sustainability Trust, 2 Forresters Lane, Te Aro. We don’t have the resourcing for this right now.

Face masks, gloves and PPE

Our only option for these at present is costly and involves flying them to Australia.

Lids

#1, #2, #5 Plastic drop them off to: The Sustainability Trust, 2 Forresters Lane, Te Aro. You need to pre-sort the lids into each number type. We don’t collect these as there is a charge for sending them to Australia for recycling.

All other plastic lids, lids without numbers are not recyclable. Put them in the red general waste bins.

Pens

New - Drop them off to the table outside VUWSA

Used – the free programme for recycling these has closed, and the alternative is costly, time consuming and involves flying them to Australia. Put them in the red general waste bins.

Plastic bread tags

This programme has closed. Remember paper bread tags are too small for recycling and can either go in your home compost or the red general waste bin.

Prescription glasses

Take them to your nearest Specsavers. We don’t have the resourcing for this right now.

Soft plastic

The company that collects soft plastic for recycling will not let us have recycling at the university. Soft plastic can be dropped off at selected supermarkets – find your nearest store here [https://www.recycling.kiwi.nz/store-locator]

Takeaway coffee cups

Takeaway coffee cups can’t be recycled or composted (even the ones with convincing “eco” promises written on them) so our preference is to prevent cup usage all together. Have your coffee in a real cup at one of our cafés or grab an Auraki and return it to one of the grey collection bins. Takeaway cups and lids all go in the red general waste bins.

TetraPaks

We hope to introduce these soon, but more education is needed for these than other recyclables. In the interim you can cut them apart, wash and dry them and take them to Earthlink at 25 Peterkin Street, Lower Hutt.

Used stationery

The free programme for recycling this has closed, and the alternative is costly, time consuming and involves flying them to Australia.