Waste disposal

VU waste policy and what can you do yourself?

• Zero Waste VU and R-ladder

  Together with our partner PreZero, we started the 'Zero Waste VU 2030' trajectory in 2024. The aim is to reduce the amount of (residual) waste each year and increase the separation percentage each year, to reach 'zero waste' in 2030. Together, we want to gradually reduce our CO2 emissions.

  Our starting point is the R-ladder, a system in which materials are reused as much as possible and waste is eliminated. It contains various strategies for circularity whereby the higher up the ladder, the lower the consumption of raw materials. Our goal is to keep moving up the R-ladder in the coming years.

• Separate collection

  At VU Amsterdam, we collect around 30 different waste streams. By collecting waste neatly and separately, better processing is possible and raw materials can be reused. The 'cleaner' or less polluted the waste stream, the better the material can be processed.

  We want to increase our separation percentage considerably. We do this by separating more and better. In addition, we have agreements with our waste processor about post-separation. We are looking for opportunities to collect more waste flows separately (on a larger scale), such as Vegetable, Fruit and Food Waste (GFE), tissues, polystyrene foam and hard plastics.

  Plastic/beverage cartons (PD), paper, cardboard and residual

  The most common and visible streams are: plastic/beverage cartons (PD), (confidential) paper, cardboard and residual waste. We collect these waste streams separately across campus. You can find the waste stations at 'logical places', such as the coffee machine, pantry, printer or at central locations in an office or study area. You recognise the waste flow by the coloured pictogram on the bin and the waste indicator hanging above it. The 'cleaner' the waste flow, the better the material can be processed.

  Other waste flows: collection at environmental centres or collection request

  Other waste streams are less common and/or less visible. These waste flows are collected in so-called waste recycling points. You will find these in the basement of various VU buildings (Main Building, MF Building, OZW, W&N Building, Research Building and Transitorium). As employees and students, you can go here yourself to dispose of your waste. Upon request, FCO Logistics can also collect the waste on site.

  Waste streams we collect here:

  • Glass
  • Electronics
  • Bulbs
  • Small chemical waste
  • Metal
  • Wood
  • Bulky waste
  • Food waste
  • Coffee grounds
  • Garden and pruning waste

  Waste in the research environment

  Separate waste areas are set up in the research environment (e.g. in O|2 Lab Building and Research Building). Here we collect commercial and hazardous waste, such as:

  • Paper/cardboard
  • Plastic/ drink cartons (PD)
  • Glass
  • Residual waste
  • Chemical waste
  • Specific hospital waste

• Tips! What can you do yourself?

  • Try to avoid waste as much as possible, e.g. by bringing your own cup, limiting printing and not using unnecessary packaging material
  • Throw your waste in the right bin! Separate materials before throwing them away (e.g. plastic and paper). If you are in doubt about the correct waste flow, ask or throw it in the bin for residual waste. This prevents waste flows becoming contaminated.
  • For 'special waste', such as glass, KCA and electronics, use the recycling points in the basements of various VU buildings.
  • Do you have a lot of one-off waste or don't know where to dispose of it? Then make a collection request via FCO Front Office and FCO Logistics will collect the waste from you.
  • Want to know more? The VU waste handbook contains a lot of information on the collection and processing of all waste flows at VU.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does waste segregation make sense?

  Yes! The cleaner the waste stream, the better the processing. Moreover, it also saves on costs. The processing of some waste streams (e.g., PD and glass) is free, provided they are neatly separated. The costs for residual waste, on the other hand, are increasing.

• What happens to our waste?

  The collected waste is taken to a waste depot on campus. There it is collected by PreZero and taken to various processing locations. On site, post-separation takes place and valuable raw materials are extracted. Our waste is recycled and raw materials are reused. If this is not possible or allowed (e.g., chemical waste), incineration takes place, generating energy.

• Why are there no trash cans in (small) offices or meeting rooms?

  We choose waste stations for separate collection at central locations. Loose wastebaskets in (small) offices or meeting rooms have been removed; this produces only residual waste (no separation) and it costs a lot of time and money to empty them.

• Can I request additional bins?

  In case of moves or projects, you can temporarily request additional waste bins. Please use the "request waste container" form on the Service Portal. It is not possible to request separate waste garbage cans in offices or consultation rooms.

• Why is green waste not collected separately?

  Collection is currently taking place on a small scale, in Transitorium and at the HG restaurant. In the near future, we will see if this can be rolled out further across campus. Behind the scenes, SWILL, GFE, coffee grounds and garden waste are being collected separately though.

• Where can I go with glass, batteries, electronics or other waste?

  To do this, make use of the environmental sites in the basements of many VU buildings or have it picked up.

• Where can I return my deposit can/bottle?

  You will find deposit vending machines in the Main building and NU building (first floor). There are also donation bins at the restaurants/coffee corners and in the campus plaza.

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