How to encourage reuse and recycling on campus

Universities must advocate not only for the technical training of their students but for their personal development. In this context, promoting environmental stewardship and progressive care for our surroundings is essential for shaping professionals who will play a transformative role in society. One key area that requires attention is waste management – particularly recyclables, because they are directly connected to the supply chain. By focusing on the end-of-life stage of materials, we can implement a variety of actions.

Waste on a university campus can be classified into several categories:

• Household-like waste
• Electronic waste (WEEE)
• Pathological waste (biological, chemical, etc)

We know that the largest percentage of waste is household-like, including paper, cardboard, metal, glass, plastic and electronic waste from unused devices. Here, I’ll outline some of the actions to reduce waste carried out by the university to and the goals we are pursuing. We are an institution committed to caring for the planet, but sustainability efforts require constant attention – people tend to choose convenience and use disposable products, leading to a continuous flow of waste.

• Practical strategies for greener transportation on your university campus
• Greening your university is not optional; it’s urgent
• How can we improve the sustainability of labs?

Ways to reduce waste on campus

1. Eliminating the availability of plastic cups at water dispensers. 

2. Promoting the use of reusable water bottles among students and staff, as well as encouraging the use of personal mugs. At the university, we have placed signage next to the water dispensers and do not provide disposable cups. Additionally, reusable university-branded bottles are available for purchase.

3. Establishing waste segregation stations for recyclables and non-recyclables. Recyclable waste is delivered to a recycling cooperative.

4. Organising workshops and electronic waste recycling campaigns for students, as well as donating obsolete materials to recycling companies and robotics schools, which give a second life to electronic items. For example, during the workshop, two formats were developed to address electronic waste management. The students worked on a proposal to implement in their communities, because they come from various neighbourhoods and locations. They formed groups to collect and compile electronic items and identified a cooperative near their homes to collaborate with for proper disposal or recycling.

5. Encouraging the recycling of study materials so that students, by course and subject, can reuse others’ notes, as well as promoting the reuse of paper for class attendance.

How to make sustainability goals a reality?

The sustainability management team, along with a working group, is responsible for:

• Establishing strategic alliances and commitments. We have commitments, for example, with the United Nations, regarding decarbonisation and the race to net zero by universities. We also formed alliances with the Laudato Si Platform, which also sets goals, and with the global agenda for Green and Healthy Hospitals.
• Delivering plans and indicators, measuring the carbon footprint, and the decarbonisation of the institution.
• Creating the necessary pathways for the management and improvement of waste handling within the institution.

Communication campaigns are key to:

• Raising awareness of the importance of giving waste a second life.
• Promoting proper segregation of waste.

Waste management is supported by:

• Efficient operations in every area of the campus.
• Measurement of indicators that allow us to assess progress and effectiveness in waste management. The indicators we use to measure the efficiency of the campus are related to energy, waste, greenhouse gas emissions, refrigerants and transportation. To do this, we measure scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions.

We know that the best waste is waste that isn’t generated, which is why we believe one of the key approaches is incorporating sustainability criteria in procurement. However, proper waste management is also fundamental. The goal is to minimise consumption, segregate responsibly and work with local resources to ensure all waste can be given a second life.

Verónica Torres is sustainability manager at Universidad Austral.

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