At UOW Pulse, sustainability is more than a goal — it’s a core value. We are proud to lead the way in implementing environmentally and socially responsible practices across our food, beverage, and retail outlets on campus.
PULSE SUSTAINABILITY TEAM
Our dedicated Sustainability Team brings together members from key business units across Pulse to drive meaningful change. The team:
- Collaborates with students and stakeholders to shape and improve sustainability initiatives.
- Represents Pulse at UOW Sustainable Futures Committee meetings to align efforts and share progress.
- Acts as a bridge between internal teams and UOW stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment.
- Prioritises sourcing products from local and sustainable suppliers.
CURRENT INITIATIVES
Sustainable Plate Initiative
In partnership with the Environmental Protection Authority and UOW, we launched the Sustainable Plate initiative — the first of its kind in Wollongong. Reusable plates, bowls, and cutlery are now available at food outlets, with wash stations installed in Building 11 to reduce single-use plastics and landfill waste.
Reducing Single-Use Waste
- Keep Cups are available for purchase at UniShop, UniBar, and other outlets.
- “Do You Really Need a Lid?” campaign encourages thoughtful use of takeaway coffee lids.
- Mug Wall at UniBar offers reusable mugs for customers to borrow and return.
- Plastic straws have been eliminated across all outlets.
- Sustainable packaging, including bamboo cutlery, is used at all Pulse-managed venues.
New in 2025
- Nespresso Pod Recycling now available at Village Grocer.
- Too Good To Go Partnership: Village Grocer has saved 232 meals from landfill and avoided 626 kg of CO₂ emissions this year.
- Can & Bottle Collection Points are now located throughout the food court and high-traffic areas. Proceeds support the Pulse Pantry, helping students in need.
Sustainable Plate Initiative
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
Green Gown Awards Australasia
UOW Pulse was awarded Winner of the 2018 Green Gown Awards Australasia in the Campus Health, Food & Drink category. The Green Gown Awards is the first and only Award Scheme dedicated to recognising excellence in sustainability within the tertiary education sector in Australasia. The Campus Health, Food & Drink category recognises achievements beyond good practice in the delivery of campus food, drink and hospitality. It celebrates innovation, creativity and consideration for procurement, delivery, communication which has resulted in behaviour changes across staff, students and community.
UniBar Food Waste to Biofuel
UniBar has installed a Pulpmaster Waste to Energy System to pulp food waste and compostable food packaging. This system recycles organic solid and liquid food waste, eliminating approximately 2700kg of waste going into landfill each week! The food waste is macerated and turned into a pulp inside the machine before being pumped into a holding tank. The Pulpmaster can process up to 1,000 litres of organic waste in just 20 minutes. When the holding tank is nearing full it is collected and used to generate biogas for renewable energy generation.
First Australian University Bar to receive ‘Ocean Friendly’ Accreditation.
The UniBar at the University of Wollongong is officially recognised as an ‘Ocean Friendly’ venue by the Surfrider Foundation Australia. The Ocean Friendly Program recognises businesses who are taking action on plastic pollution by implementing measures to reduce single-use plastic items at their source and demonstrating a commitment to reducing negative environmental impacts.
Recycling
Mobile Phone Recycling
UOW has a mobile phone recycling program with Mobile Muster. Over 90% of a mobile phone can be recovered, and materials including plastics, gold, silver, copper and nickel can be recycled from them.
Collection points:
- Facilities Management Division, Building 31
- IMTS, Building 39c
Print Cartridge Recycling
Print cartridges can be recycled at UOW via the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark program.
Find out about UOW Print Cartridge Recycling.
Collection points:
- Building 31 foyer
- Print area within the library
- UniShop
We’re proud of our progress but we’re just getting started. At UOW Pulse, we’re committed to building a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Yellow Bin (Recycling)
- Pizza boxes
- Milk and juice cartons
- Aluminium and steel cans
- Glass bottles and jars
Remember to empty liquids, rinse out food, crush bulky items and remove lids.
White Bin (Paper & Cardboard)
- Paper
- Envelopes
- Post-it notes
- Newspapers and magazines
- Telephone books
- Flattened cardboard boxes
Remember to remove binders and plastic wrappings, and flatten boxes.
Red Bin (General Waste)
- Paper towels
- Tissues and serviettes
- Disposable coffee cups
- Disposable plastic cutlery
- Plastic bags, wrap and chip packets
- All polystyrene items
Green Bin (Food Waste)
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Rice and pasta
- Dairy products
- Bread, cake and pastries
- Meat and fish products
- Coffee grounds and tea bags
- Paper towels
- Tissues and serviettes