Heriot-Watt's disposal policies

All kitchens come equipped with the following bins:

• Blue - General Waste
• Green - Recycling
• Food Caddy - Food Waste

Please use the correct bins in your kitchen to keep your space clean and environmentally friendly.

General Waste (Blue Bin)

Use this bin for anything that cannot be recycled.

·         Please bag your rubbish before placing it in the bin

·         Extra bin bags can be provided by the cleaning team

·         Do not leave loose waste in the bin

·         Remove them regularly top avoid mess and pests

Recycling (Green Bin)

Only place clean and dry recyclables in this bin, and only use clear bin bags.

You can recycle:

o   Paper, card, and flattened cardboard boxes (not shredded)

o   Plastic bottles (squash and keep lids on)

o   Plastic pots, tubs, trays, and containers

o   Food and drink cartons (e.g. Tetra Paks)

o   Aluminium and steel cans

 Do not recycle 🚫 

o   Food or liquid waste

o   Plastic wrappers

o   Shredded paper

o   Food-soiled items

o   Polystyrene or foil

o   Tissues, kitchen roll, or wipes

o   Plastic bags or bin liners

o   Battery*

👉 If in doubt, place it in general waste.

Food Waste Bin

This bin is for all food waste only (e.g. leftovers, fruit, vegetables, tea bags).

⚠️ Important guidance:

·         No bin liners will be provided for food bins

·         Do not use plastic bags as liners

·         Please empty the food bin every 2–3 days (or earlier if it’s full)

·         After emptying:

o   Rinse the bin

o   Clean it if needed

o   Dry it thoroughly

o   Reuse it

This helps prevent smells, pests, and hygiene issues in your kitchen.

Glass Waste

Glass must not go in your kitchen bins. Please take all glass items to the designated glass recycling bins outside your building

This includes bottles and jars only. Please take broken crockery (drinking glass/plates) straight to the external skip.

Why it matters

Correct waste disposal helps keep your kitchen clean, prevents pests and unpleasant smells, and supports environmental sustainability.

Let’s all do our part 💚