UQ starts semester on a ‘green’ note

More than 40 new “recycling stations” will be installed around The University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus by 2012, after the launch of a new public place recycling campaign today.

UQ’s Do the Right Thing, Use the Right Bin campaign is a joint venture between the University and the Packaging Stewardship Forum of the Australian Food and Grocery Council, with support from the Queensland Government.

UQ Environmental Officer Leigh Burgess said the University had a long-term commitment to sustainability and the new campaign aimed to ensure that more than 50 per cent of UQ’s public area general waste was recycled.

“This will remove 10 tonnes of recyclables from landfill each year, enough to fill 1400 wheelie bins,” she said.

Ms Burgess said students and staff were keen to support recycling, evidenced by the 29 per cent increase in recycling rates after seven new bins were installed in the Great Court and in Campbell Place last September.

“Improving the recovery of recyclable materials and reducing waste to landfill has major benefits for the environment, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving valuable landfill space,” she said.

PSF general manager Jenny Pickles congratulated UQ on its enthusiasm in helping students and staff boost their “away from home” recycling rates.

“This is being achieved through well-placed infrastructure and good promotion of the Do the Right Thing Use the Right Bin message,” Ms Pickles said.

“The University was eager to further encourage recycling on its campuses and we came on board with some expertise on how to do it.”

Di Farmer, the State Member for Bulimba, launched UQ’s campaign today at St Lucia representing the Minister for Environment and Resource Management Kate Jones.

UQ is a signatory to two international declarations under which it has committed to reduce the University's environmental footprint.

This significant push towards sustainability is being seen in both the University's operational practices, and in a continued emphasis in these fields in UQ teaching and research. Sustainability website

Media: Caroline Bird, UQ Communications, +61 7 3365 1931; Leigh Burgess, UQ Property & Facilities, +61 7 3365 7580