SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Our comprehensive Waste Minimisation and Management Plan (PDF, 2.1MB) lays out a clear roadmap for reducing and recycling waste on campus.  We annually assess waste and report on how we are tracking and work closely with our students, staff and suppliers to change mindsets and behaviour.

The Plan contains actions relating to:

• Systems to manage, minimise and measure waste streams
• Programmes to prevent, divert and reduce waste to landfill (including plastic waste)
• Responsible management of hazardous waste and ‘Ewaste’
• Promoting behaviour to minimise waste in the University and community (including our suppliers)

In 2024, we generated 420 tonnes of waste, of which 328 tonnes were not recycled. This is a reduction from the amount that was not recycled in 2023.

Through our partnership with PB Tech the University of Waikato is committed to reducing waste at all points in the life-cycle of our computing equipment. This starts with minimising packaging and shipping emissions associated with new IT equipment, and goes through to reducing e-waste by reusing, reselling, and recycling equipment at the end of its life-cycle.

To prolong the useful life of laptops and reduce e-waste, staff members are given the option of purchasing their old laptops once they reach the age where they are scheduled for replacement. If a staff member does not choose to purchase their old laptop, it will be sent to PB Tech for assessment.

PB Tech assesses all computing equipment decommissioned in the university, which includes staff computers, as well as computers in labs and teaching spaces. High quality laptops and computer lab desktops are donated to a Waikato Schools program who rebuild computers and target donations across the region to address student inequity. All good quality desktops are refurbished and onsold by PB Tech into the New Zealand market for a second life. All remaining e-waste is gathered by PB Tech, who then send it to Echo Tech, a specialist e-waste recycler, who disassembles the devices to recover the reusable parts. This ensures that components will be reused and recycled where possible, with harmful pollutants diverted from landfill.

The University of Waikato is leading a multidisciplinary project, Āmiomio Aotearoa, focused on developing a circular economy concept for Aotearoa, New Zealand.  The project aims to reduce waste and develop a more sustainable model of production and consumption with a focus on the construction and packaging industries.

Led by Professor Kim Pickering, a global expert in materials engineering, Āmiomio Aotearoa is backed by $10.9 million courtesy of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). It brings together a diverse range of people including scientists, engineers, business experts and policy advisors to focus on waste reduction in the construction and packaging industries, incorporating Indigenous perspectives and traditional Māori knowledge (mātauranga Māori).