The food waste and recycling problem<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\nUnfortunately, this was the\u00a0reality\u00a0of\u00a0<\/span>The Market at The University of Manchester<\/span><\/a>\u00a0since the COVID-19 pandemic. During\u00a0this period, reusable\u00a0crockery\u00a0was\u00a0replaced with\u00a0disposable takeaway\u00a0containers\u00a0for hygiene\u00a0reasons.\u00a0Despite\u00a0multiple\u00a0recycling stations\u00a0and food waste bins around the market,\u00a0they were often underused.\u00a0This was\u00a0largely due\u00a0to unclear\u00a0disposal guidance and, at times,\u00a0the simple convenience of\u00a0putting\u00a0everything into general waste.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe result was not only\u00a0an unpleasant\u00a0environment, but\u00a0added to\u00a0growing concerns around\u00a0excessive food and plastic waste that could\u00a0have been\u00a0avoided\u00a0or\u00a0diverted into\u00a0appropriate recycling\u00a0streams.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe Bee Bowl solution<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-sr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/178\/2026\/02\/Bee-Bowl-300x150.jpeg\")
Bee Bowl, top view (left) with QR code for scanning and borrowing, side view (right).<\/p><\/div>\n
To tackle all these issues, the Bee Bowl scheme was\u00a0introduced\u00a0at the start of the 2025\/26 academic year.\u00a0Similar to\u00a0the Bee Cup,\u00a0which rolled out around a year ago,\u00a0staff and students\u00a0can borrow a reusable Bee Bowl\u00a0when ordering\u00a0food,\u00a0both for eating in or taking food\u00a0away. The bowl can be\u00a0kept\u00a0it\u00a0free of charge\u00a0as long as\u00a0it is returned within 14 days.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSadie Jackson, Head of Retail at the University, manages all caf\u00e9s on campus as well as\u00a0The Market. She\u00a0spoke about the impact\u00a0of the Bee Bowl during an interview:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Positive reception and smooth implementation:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Vendors at The Market were introduced to the Bee Bowl in September, giving them\u00a0time\u00a0to understand\u00a0the process\u00a0and explain\u00a0it clearly\u00a0to customers. By October, the Bee Bowl was officially launched\u00a0and\u00a0quickly gained acceptance from\u00a0key stakeholders,\u00a0signalling a strong start.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-sr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/178\/2026\/02\/Recycling-Station-300x225.png\")
Recycling station with small food caddies and cutlery organiser. Instructions are printed in three languages (English, Chinese and Thai).<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Improved management of food waste:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Large general waste and food waste bins have been replaced with smaller bins and food caddies. As Bee Bowls cannot be thrown away, customers must first separate any leftover food into the\u00a0appropriate food\u00a0caddies before either keeping or returning the bowl, resulting in more consistent and effective waste segregation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Encouraged sustainable behaviour among customers:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>As part of the scheme, vendors now charge an extra \u00a31 on orders if single-use takeaway containers are requested instead of the Bee Bowl. This\u00a0incentive,\u00a0mirroring\u00a0the Bee Cup,\u00a0has\u00a0proven highly effective\u00a0in\u00a0nudging students\u00a0and staff\u00a0to use the Bee Bowl more often.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Next steps and legacy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-sr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/178\/2026\/02\/Bee-Bowl-Return-225x300.png\")
Bee Bowl return station with large bin for Bee Bowl collection and a poster with instructions on how to return.<\/p><\/div>\n
Currently, all vendors at The Market serve food in reusable bowls and plates by default, alongside the Bee Bowl as an option. A\u00a0single recycling station is set up near the entrance of The Market, making it easy for customers to return\u00a0their reusable\u00a0cutlery before leaving.\u00a0This station is manned by a member of staff to help\u00a0new users\u00a0sign up or navigate the Bee Bowl scheme, while ensuring food waste is disposed of\u00a0in the small food caddies before the containers are returned.\u00a0Looking ahead, Sadie hopes that clearer signage\u00a0and improved station design\u00a0will\u00a0allow\u00a0the scheme to\u00a0operate\u00a0more independently, without the need for constant supervision.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nBeyond creating a more hygienic and pleasant environment at The Market, the Bee Bowl scheme\u00a0plays\u00a0an important role\u00a0in reducing the University\u2019s environmental impact. By cutting down on\u00a0single-use cutlery and takeaway containers,\u00a0the scheme has the potential to lower operational costs\u00a0and\u00a0reduce\u00a0Scope 3 (indirect) emissions,\u00a0supporting\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>University\u2019s Environmental Sustainability Strategy.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSupport this initiative and start using the Bee Bowl and Bee Cup\u00a0by\u00a0downloading the\u00a0<\/span>Vytal<\/span><\/a>\u00a0app\u00a0today.\u00a0New\u00a0users\u00a0of the Bee Cup can\u00a0also enjoy\u00a0a\u00a0free drink with\u00a0their\u00a0first use.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAdditional\u00a0information<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\nFollow The Market on their socials:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- @themarketatuom<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(Instagram)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- The Market at The University of Manchester<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Read more\u00a0about the success of the Bee Cup\u00a0from partners:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- In Our Nature | Case Study: Trialling a returnable cup scheme in caf\u00e9s along Oxford Road<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Manchester City Council | The Bee Cup | Action for businesses and organisations<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- StaffNet | The Bee Cup launches across campus<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The result was not only\u00a0an unpleasant\u00a0environment, but\u00a0added to\u00a0growing concerns around\u00a0excessive food and plastic waste that could\u00a0have been\u00a0avoided\u00a0or\u00a0diverted into\u00a0appropriate recycling\u00a0streams.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bee Bowl, top view (left) with QR code for scanning and borrowing, side view (right).<\/p><\/div>\n To tackle all these issues, the Bee Bowl scheme was\u00a0introduced\u00a0at the start of the 2025\/26 academic year.\u00a0Similar to\u00a0the Bee Cup,\u00a0which rolled out around a year ago,\u00a0staff and students\u00a0can borrow a reusable Bee Bowl\u00a0when ordering\u00a0food,\u00a0both for eating in or taking food\u00a0away. The bowl can be\u00a0kept\u00a0it\u00a0free of charge\u00a0as long as\u00a0it is returned within 14 days.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sadie Jackson, Head of Retail at the University, manages all caf\u00e9s on campus as well as\u00a0The Market. She\u00a0spoke about the impact\u00a0of the Bee Bowl during an interview:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Recycling station with small food caddies and cutlery organiser. Instructions are printed in three languages (English, Chinese and Thai).<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Bee Bowl return station with large bin for Bee Bowl collection and a poster with instructions on how to return.<\/p><\/div>\n Currently, all vendors at The Market serve food in reusable bowls and plates by default, alongside the Bee Bowl as an option. A\u00a0single recycling station is set up near the entrance of The Market, making it easy for customers to return\u00a0their reusable\u00a0cutlery before leaving.\u00a0This station is manned by a member of staff to help\u00a0new users\u00a0sign up or navigate the Bee Bowl scheme, while ensuring food waste is disposed of\u00a0in the small food caddies before the containers are returned.\u00a0Looking ahead, Sadie hopes that clearer signage\u00a0and improved station design\u00a0will\u00a0allow\u00a0the scheme to\u00a0operate\u00a0more independently, without the need for constant supervision.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Beyond creating a more hygienic and pleasant environment at The Market, the Bee Bowl scheme\u00a0plays\u00a0an important role\u00a0in reducing the University\u2019s environmental impact. By cutting down on\u00a0single-use cutlery and takeaway containers,\u00a0the scheme has the potential to lower operational costs\u00a0and\u00a0reduce\u00a0Scope 3 (indirect) emissions,\u00a0supporting\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>University\u2019s Environmental Sustainability Strategy.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Support this initiative and start using the Bee Bowl and Bee Cup\u00a0by\u00a0downloading the\u00a0<\/span>Vytal<\/span><\/a>\u00a0app\u00a0today.\u00a0New\u00a0users\u00a0of the Bee Cup can\u00a0also enjoy\u00a0a\u00a0free drink with\u00a0their\u00a0first use.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Follow The Market on their socials:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Read more\u00a0about the success of the Bee Cup\u00a0from partners:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe Bee Bowl solution<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Next steps and legacy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Additional\u00a0information<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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