Reducing waste through better separation
Recently, waste has been collected separately in all buildings in the Utrecht Science Park and at the International Campus Utrecht. New coloured bins for the different types of waste can be found in the corridors. By collecting waste separately, the university can reduce the large amount of residual waste that is incinerated or dumped. An important part of the ambition UU Zero Waste.
Six hundred tonnes of residual waste
In 2022, we collectively produced over 600,000 kilograms of residual waste in the education and office buildings. Random samples show that there is still a lot to be recovered from residual waste, which is currently still being landfilled and incinerated. By separating waste properly, residual waste in buildings can be minimised. In the most optimal situation, the residual waste percentage can be reduced to an average of 17%!
The university aims to have Zero Waste operations by 2030. This sustainable target means that we will no longer burn or landfill waste. Residual waste from office and education buildings is incinerated and landfilled, which hurts the environment.
We separate waste together
Reducing waste is something we do together. By buying circularly, throwing waste in the right bin and processing it properly, we can drastically reduce the amount of residual waste. Over 83% of our residual waste does not need to be incinerated if we separate it better. In this way, we contribute to creating a better world and sustainable society.
Your plastic is a resource!
Through special waste bins in our buildings, we separate the following waste streams: Paper, GFE (fruit, vegetable and food waste), Plastic and beverage cartons and Residual waste. In some municipalities, plastic can go with the residual waste. A sorting machine there removes plastic from residual waste and can separate the combined waste by up to 57%. By collecting plastic separately, Renewi, Utrecht 木瓜福利影视's waste processor, can use as much as 80-90% of the PD collected as raw material to make new products. This is why the university has another separate PD waste stream for plastic and drinking cardboard.
Separating waste in the city centre
In the inner city, we face many practical challenges in handling waste. It is mainly due to the logistical constraints in the city centre (narrow streets through which large and heavy trucks cannot and are not allowed by the municipality). Furthermore, there is little space around the buildings to collect waste separately in containers (1 large compactor takes up less space than 86 different containers). The FSC is currently working on a practical solution that is also sustainable in the long term. Separate waste bins will not be rolled out in the Inner City until the back end is settled.
Together towards UU Zero Waste
UU is working towards a Zero Waste business operation. To achieve this, we want to increase our understanding of our waste and waste streams, buy circularly, separate all our waste and thus work towards a business operation in which we no longer speak of waste, but of resources for high-quality reuse.