General waste bins are designed for non-recyclable products. Items typically disposed of in general waste include light plastics (like crisp packets and sweet wrappers), contaminated food packaging, and personal hygeine items, such as tissues and wet wipes. 

Properly using these bins helps prevent contamination of recyclable materials. If you are unsure of which bin is appropriate, consult the bin signs located on each LSE bin.

Recycling bins are designed to collect materials that can be processed and reused. Items that can be disposed of in recycling bins include paper and cardboard, clean plastic bottles and hard plastics, aluminium foil.

Paper waste bins are provided to facilitate the efficient collection of paper and cardboard products from across campus and in halls. These bins are designed for clean paper items such as newspaper, magazines, carboard and paper. At LSE, we are trying to limit our paper consumption through the Digital Smart campaign and providing staff access to their printing data. We attempt to recycle as much paper waste as possible.

Food waste bins are intended for collecting organic waste that can be composted or anaerobically digested. Items suitable for the food waste bins include fruit, vegetables, coffee grounds, tea bags and leftover meals. It is important to remove all packaging before putting food into the food waste bins.

Whilst LSE encourages the use of reusable coffee cups through our single-use tariff and KeepCup sales, we have also strategically placed single-use coffee cups bins to address the waste that is generate from our coffee cup sales.

In 2024, we introduced our vape recycling initiative to address the growing concern of electronic waste. Designated vape collection boxes have been placed at the CBG reception and SAW reception.

Confidential waste includes paper and other media containing information that should not be accessible to the general public, or that LSE has an obligation to protect, this includes but is not limited to: 

• Personal contact information 

• Sensitive reports and data 

• Student and Staff signature, picture or private information 

• Exam scripts and logistics  

• Bank statements, credit card details and invoices 

• CDs, DVDs, USBs etc.

Not confidential? Then put the papers into your nearest paper or dry mixed recycling bin.

• View the Confidential Waste Guidance
• Complete a porter request form for confidential waste bags. Choose the ‘deliver confidential waste bags’ option. If you are disposing of CDs, ID cards, DVDs etc. the sacks need to have 'PLASTICS' or 'MEDIA' written on the sack.
• Close the bags once the bags are two-thirds full.
• Complete the porter request form for the bags to be collected by the porters, by choosing the ‘collect confidential waste’ option on the form. Remember sacks must be locked overnight in a cupboard or in a secure bin. 
• Complete a Special Request Confidential Waste Collection Form if your project requires a larger collection.