As part of UniSC's commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, UniSC has adopted measures to manage and minimise our waste. In 2013, UniSC became the first University in Australia to adopt a total waste streaming system that includes onsite processing of green/organic waste and our innovative waste programs have won prestigious awards, including:

• Highly Commended Award in the Premier's Sustainability Awards 2015
• Australasian Campuses Toward Sustainability Green Gown Award for Carbon Reduction 2014
• Sunshine Coast Council Good Recycling Award 2013

Managing our waste has the added benefit of keeping our native biodiversity safe and healthy. These efforts contributed to the University's strong performance in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings in the areas of Life below Water and Life on Land.

Since implementing the sustainable waste management program in 2013, the waste stream mix shows that considerable waste is being diverted from landfill and is either being recycled or composted onsite. The following figures summarise waste streaming at University-controlled campuses:

• Recycling and organic waste represented approximately 49.5% of UniSC's (non-construction) waste in 2024.
• This recycling and organic waste is made up of the following streams: general recycling/plastic and glass (~9.8% total waste), paper/cardboard/confidential (~29%), organic/green waste (<1%), eWaste (~5.0%), metal (~4.4%) and small recyclables (~1.2%; soft plastics, batteries, textiles and polystyrene).
• Recycling represented over 27% of waste at the Moreton Bay campus in 2024, with paper and cardboard waste double that of general recycling/plastic and glass.
• UniSC computer equipment is recycled annually through a company that scrubs and reuses equipment in working order and strips and recycles parts from equipment that isn't in working order.

UniSC is continuing to add streams to divert more waste from landfill. The Containers for Change and operational batteries streams have been relaunched and expanded to Moreton Bay and new streams around clear soft plastics and excess dry organic waste were established in 2021. The proceeds from the Containers for Change have the added benefit of raising funds for our selected charity. Polystyrene was added as a waste stream at UniSC Sunshine Coast in 2022 to recycle the waste generated by purchase of white goods and electronics and utilised for the transfer of lab samples.  Textile recycling was added in 2024

An Operational Waste Management Plan (PDF 1.5MB) has been developed, as set out in the Campus Master Plan, to provide an overview of how waste is managed across all UniSC campuses and sites. Advanced guidelines are available in regards to disposal of hazardous waste.