FOI_26-261 Coffee ground waste collection
Date of response: 23 October 2026
We have now considered your request of 07 October 2026 for the following information:
Question 1. How much coffee grounds waste is produced / collected from all the outlets on campus on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. If you can break down by outlet name/anonymous outlet number (e.g. outlet #1 produces 5kg, outlet #2 produces 6kg etc.) then it would be more beneficial, otherwise an aggregate value would be alright.
Question 1.a. If it is difficult to find out coffee grounds waste weight, would it be possible to estimate waste weight from waste collection supplier's end for example waste bin utilisation (e.g. a 30kg bin was 80% full when collected after a period of 14 days).
Our response:
On this occasion it is not possible to provide any of the requested information. In line with your rights under section 1(1)(a) of the Act to be informed whether information is held, we confirm that the University does not hold any recorded information for the amount of coffee ground waste produced/collected from all catering outlets on university campus or waste weight from waste collection at supplier’s end or waste bin utilisation.
The University do not record how much coffee ground waste is produced or how much waste collection within bins is utilised.
The bulk of coffee grounds are included in the food waste stream and therefore mixed in with food waste in the external bins. This makes it impossible to measure coffee grounds alone, from a waste point of view.
Question 1.b. Coffee grounds waste collection frequency.
Our response:
Every Thursday.
Question 1.c. What are the rules around disposing/collecting coffee grounds waste on campus (e.g. specific type of bin bags used? special bins? etc.)
Our response:
Coffee grounds usually go into the food waste stream and is processed via AD, some is collected and composted on site by our grounds department this is all of the Coffee grounds from the outlet in the Enterprise Centre but we are increasing this in the next few weeks as our compost bays are now able to accept more. Coffee grounds are also made available for staff and students for reuse in some Catering Outlets.
Question 2. Are there any contracts in place for processing the coffee grounds waste?
What happens to it?
Does it go to a landfill site?
Can I have contact details on who to speak to for more information (UEA staff member or customer relations/accounts manager for waste supplier)?
Our response:
Yes, there is a contract with Norse Waste Solutions for processing waste coffee grounds. The grounds are taken from the University by Norse. They are not sent to landfill sites.
The individual you may speak with for further information is Tom Bohan Waste & Recycling Manager at the University – tom.bohan@uea.ac.uk
Question 2.a. Is it possible to know the name of the suppliers that collect coffee grounds waste ?
Our response:
Norse Waste Solutions.
Question 2.b. Brief information about what happens to the coffee grounds waste after it leaves UEA?
Our response:
If it leaves UEA it is processed via Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a sustainable process that processes waste, creates bio-fertiliser, and produces power in the form of electricity and biogas. The growing challenges around energy and food security, waste management, and climate change are pushing the benefits of AD firmly into the spotlight. Local authorities are facing new regulations for the separate collection of food waste, which will increase the amount of waste available for treatment by AD. This transition to net zero is supported by AD and food recycling, which can help local authorities meet their legal obligations and deliver maximum benefit
Question 2.c. Are any coffee grounds waste used/processed on campus?
Our response:
Yes, some is composted in our compost bays, the compost is then used around campus.
Question 2.d. Are students/staff/members of the public allowed to collect coffee grounds waste.
Our response:
Yes. Some catering outlets have coffee grounds that are available for staff and students to collect without charge.