Case Study
Otago University
Graduating to Better Recycling
Industry
Education
Location
Dunedin, New Zealand
+35%
Increased Diversion
50%
Total Reduction
20k+
Students
The Challenge
Universities are mini-cities with high foot traffic and diverse waste streams. Otago University had already made strides in waste reduction but needed to push further to hit their ambitious sustainability targets
The Solution
Method bins and desktop Precyclers were introduced to capture waste at the source. The system was rolled out across campus to create a consistent, recognizable interface for students and staff.
The Impact
Building on previous success, the introduction of Method's system reduced waste to landfill by a further 35%. The consistent design across campus helped instill good habits in the student population, creating a legacy of sustainability.
Campus-Wide Consistency
Consistency is key to behavior change. By deploying Method stations across the university, Otago created a unified language for waste. Whether in the library, the cafe, or the lecture hall, the 'interface' for recycling remained the same.
The Precycler Effect
Otago utilized Method's desktop Precyclers to bridge the gap between the desk and the station. This small tool made it easy for staff to separate waste at their workspace before taking it to the central hub, reducing contamination at the source.
“Method has been working with Otago University since 2019. Introducing Method bins and Precyclers reduced waste by a further 35% being diverted from landfill.”
Trusted by organisations who are serious about sustainability
“Within the first week of rolling out our 5-bin system, waste to landfill was reduced by approximately 80%”
Resources
Everything you need to design a successful recycling system. From case studies to technical specifications.
