Plastic Free Dining Retail Awards
A rating system that awards a gold, silver or bronze rating reflecting the progress of each retailer in support of Plastic Free Dining.
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Plastic Free Dining
With over 60,000 students and 6,000 staff across UNSW campuses seeking their daily food and drink, we collectively impact the waste generated on campus.
A 2024 waste audit at Kensington campus revealed that 56% of the general waste in outdoor bins consists of food and drink packaging.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Join the Plastic Free Dining Movement!
Plastic Free Dining is a key initiative of the Environmental Sustainability Plan 2022-2024 aiming to achieve three major sustainability goals:
- Eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic packaging from UNSW food and drink services.
- Improve recycling rates through effective waste management.
- Reduce total waste volumes by promoting reuse over single-use.
What have we done so far?
- Collaborated with UNSW food and drink retailers to switch to fully compostable single-use packaging and remove banned plastic items
- Launched the Plastic Free Dining award for retailers
- Encouraged staff and students to dine in and bring their own (BYO) cups, containers, and utensils to campus.
- Installed additional water bubblers in key locations to reduce consumption of single-use water bottles
- Trialed a three-bin system to separate drink containers, food waste, compostable packaging, and general waste. This has now changed to a two-bin system. Check the What goes where: UNSW waste guide for more details.
How can you help?
- Dining in? Choose a retailer who provides reusable cups, cutlery and plates to enjoy your food waste-free.
- On the go? Bring your own (BYO) cup, cutlery or food box and ask your retailer to fill it up. Bonus: get a BYO discount at partner retailers!
- Forgot to BYO? Ask your retailer not to put a lid on your cup or bowl to limit unnecessary packaging.
- Join the plastic free movement! Explore other ways to eliminate single-use plastics in daily life. Review Plastic Free July tips and share your successes with your community.
- Need to dispose of waste? Check the What goes where: UNSW waste guide and dispose of your waste correctly. When in doubt, use the RED bin.
UNSW Sustainability in action
Thanks for joining us at O-Week and for other engagement stalls. We can't wait to dine waste-free with you this year.
