Ken calls on students to recycle more

Students studying in London will now get extra support to recycle in their halls of residence under a new initiative launched by the Mayor of London this week.


Funded by the London Recycling Fund, the scheme will pave the way for the capital’s 164 university halls of residence to improving their recycling services, which is thought could lead to an additional 4,000 tonnes of waste being recycled each year.

Mayor Ken Livingstone said the decision came after students from Goldsmiths university had called on him to improve recycling services on campus.

“This service will look at the individual needs of each halls of residence and work with the boroughs, universities, students and reuse organisations to make sure that the students can recycle more,” he said.

The scheme will include visits to all of the halls of residence to develop specific implementation plans for each individual building, and will result in:

  • Estimates of potential recycling and reuse at individual halls
  • Recommendations on recycling opportunities within halls and nearby
  • Identification of resources available and signposts to potential sponsors
  • Information on local networks and support for reuse
  • Best practice on how to publicise and encourage recycling, reuse and reduction of waste in halls of residence

    “London still has a way to go to improve the amount it recycles, but services are now improving making it easier for Londoners to recycle more,” Mr Livingstone continued. “78% of Londoners now have a kerbside collection service and now students should start to see big improvements in recycling services in their halls.”

    By Jane Kettle

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