We consider the waste we produce as valuable resources and aim to separate them as much as possible. In the coming years, we will significantly increase the separation rate. We will achieve this by improving source separation and making agreements with our supplier for post-separation (separation after collection).
Currently, we collect about 25 different streams, including (confidential) paper, cardboard, glass, organic waste, wood, metal, and various types of hazardous waste. One of the first steps is to collect plastic packaging and beverage cartons (P/D) on a larger scale. We are actively working on this. New waste bins for plastic and beverage cartons will be installed in the new study areas in the Main Building. We have also started separate collection of paper towels from the bathroom areas (these are used to make ceiling tiles).
Separation waste collection - an update
In the short term (Q1 2025), the Main Building, New University Building and Transitorium will be equipped with bins for separate collection of waste.
In the Main Building, the study halls (B-Tower) and the teaching area (A-Tower) were previously equipped with waste bins. Now source separation is also being rolled out in the office and public areas.
A pilot of separate collection of fruit, vegetable and food waste (GFE) was done earlier in Transitorium. The results were good! We are now looking at how to organise this on a larger scale on our campus. In that case, we will expand the waste stations in the pantries (where food is eaten) with an additional waste bin GFE.
In the New University Building, separate waste collection is still in its infancy. There is still much to be gained here. The aim is to implement source separation in the entire building by the academic year 2024-2025. We are also consulting with the (catering) operators in this building, such as Bar Boele and The Living. But we are also in discussions with the other entrepreneurs and suppliers on our campus, such as Eurest, Maas, Spar and Doppio. Waste streams like P/D, coffee grounds and GFE are high on the list.
Source separation has already been rolled out in the Research Building VU. All floors are equipped with bins for the collection of paper/cardboard, P/D and residual waste. In the lab environment, we additionally collect glass. And, of course, chemical/hazardous waste. Here we are looking at the possibility of collecting Styrofoam and hard plastics/plastics separately, for example. This also applies to the O|2 Lab building.
Source separation was also the starting point for the recent modifications to the OZW building. Here, full use was made of the existing waste bins; these are provided with signage and are reused. Re-use is also an important principle in other buildings; after all, that too is sustainability!
The campus square gets a makeover. The new square has already been equipped with a number of duo waste bins, suitable for the separate collection of P/D and residual waste. Weather permitting, we will (temporarily) place additional bins on the campus square, for glass and GFE, for example. The next step is the waste bins at the entrances of the buildings. We will replace the current residual waste bins with duo waste bins. The new bins on the campus square are clearly recognisable (orange for P/D) and fitted on the outside with a rack for deposit packaging. If you do not have time to hand in your can/bottle, please place it here, so that someone else can hand it in and the packaging does not end up in the residual waste. You will find the deposit machine on the ground floor HG, opposite the coffee corner.
We are still consulting with ACTA and Sportscentre VU.
Waste flows
In the office-education and public areas (all buildings), we now focus on the separate collection of paper/cardboard, confidential paper, P/D and residual waste. In Transitorium, GFE is also collected separately in the pantries. In the coming period, we are looking at whether and how to organise this on a larger scale on campus.
In the lab environments (Research Building VU, O|2 Lab Building), we are looking at how to better organise waste separation in the lab. By default, we collect P/D, paper/cardboard, glass and residual waste here, and of course hazardous/chemical waste. Separate waste areas in the lab area have been set up for this purpose, equipped with rolling containers and safety cabinets. We are investigating the possibilities of also collecting polystyrene, foils and hard plastics separately, for instance. Much of this currently disappears into residual waste.
Deposit vending machine
There is a deposit machine in the main building. Don't throw away your can/bottle, but hand it in here and get your deposit back via a Tikkie. Or donate your deposit to charity (UAF); that too can easily be done via the vending machine. Figures show that the vending machine is well used: in 2024, some 24,000 cans and bottles were handed in. A great result!
We are in talks with Statiegeld Nederland about expanding the number of vending machines or collection points on our campus. We are focusing especially on the New University Building and MF Building because there are many students and visitors there.
Collection of tissues
A pilot was conducted in the Main Building and Transitorium in 2024 with the separate collection of tissues from the toilet groups. This was successful: ceiling tiles were made from the collected material. We would also like to roll this out further across the campus.
Also read the article in trade magazine Profile about recycling tissues (February 2025).
Coffee grounds
We have also started separate collection of coffee grounds. The coffee grounds collected from the Main Building, W&N and NU are collected by Maas in separate containers and processed by PreZero. This also applies to coffee grounds from the Spar. Collection is going so well that we are expanding this to other buildings and other hospitality/retail.