Kingston University cares about sustainability and a circular economy, proven through their constant actions toward better recycling rates and sustainable practices.
But the University was facing a challenge… its existing recycling stations failed to work effectively and drive the right recycling behaviours with students and staff. High contamination levels and uncertainty about what to recycle kept recycling rates at 30-40%.
That’s when they reached out for the help of Unisort, and underwent a consultative process with us to impact recycling rates.
The first step was to identify why the rates of recycling were low:
The results were clear:
- Limited waste segregation beyond general waste and recycling, no specific waste streams
- Confusion among students and staff about recyclable materials
- High contamination levels from food and liquids
We then created a tailored recycling station solution that tackled low recycling rates head-on.
The new recycling stations we designed:
Featured stylish and intuitive designs that made recycling easy and help drive behavioural change
Included clear signage with specific waste streams that ensured correct waste sorting
Combined with the Unisort Liner System to help save plastic & CO2 with the liners used
The new recycling stations delivered impressive results within the first few months:
→ Higher recycling rates as students and staff sorted waste correctly
→ Lower contamination as clear signage and more specific waste streams made it more intuitive
→ Increased engagement as staff, students as well as other universities and external networks expressed interest
Explore our recycling stations tailored for Universities and Colleges.
The success of Kingston University’s recycling system influenced many other institutions. Higher education institutions, student unions, and sustainability teams sought insights from Kingston’s new approach. The university integrated the recycling station design into its standard specification, ensuring new buildings and refurbishments included the stations moving forward.
Kingston University remains committed to sustainability, taking decisive steps toward Net Zero.
Their collaboration with Unisort improved recycling rates, raised awareness, and fostered a culture shift that proves the right approach makes recycling second nature.
Unisort creates custom recycling station solutions that deliver measurable impact. Contact us if you’re looking to boost your recycling efforts and lead in sustainability.
Download The Kingston University Case Study
Use this form to download the full Kingston University case study as a PDF.
"*" indicates required fields