Waste | Sustainability at the University of Twente

REDUCING WASTE

As part of the ambition to reduce our carbon footprint by 15% in 2023, the UT wants to reduce the amount of waste it produces. To realize this, a waste plan has been written that links all aspects of waste together and ensures that initiatives will enhance each other. It describes the current and desired situation on campus as well as how progress is being monitored and reported. The main goal of the waste plan is to prevent and reduce waste. Where waste does arise, we try to separate it as much as possible to facilitate recycling and what cannot be recycled we dispose of properly, safely and responsibly.

Waste at a glance

The UT aims to have a 'residual-waste free campus' (meaning max 10,5kg residual waste per person) in 2030
This will be achieved by preventing and reducing waste (for example in tenders) as well as through good recycling practices
The UT pays special attention to monitoring and reducing E-waste

PLANNING

Planning waste

Click to zoom in

MORE ABOUT WASTE

What happens to my waste?

At the University of Twente, we try to separate it as much as possible to facilitate recycling and what cannot be recycled we dispose of properly, safely and responsibly. On this page, you can find information about what waste goes where.

Read all about waste here

Mirjam Nijhuis–Morshuis: less waste through sustainable purchasing

Mirjam Nijhuis–Morshuis works in Team Traffic, part of the Marketing and Communication department. Here, she organises printed matter and merchandise for the whole university. “I always consider the sustainability factor whenever I receive a new order.”

Read the interview

Waste streams at the UT

The various waste streams at the University of Twente and how they are processed are visualized. Click here for a larger version (pdf).

WASTE FREE CAMPUS

In 2030, the UT wants to have a waste free campus and in 2050 a circular campus. The definition of a waste free campus is calculated in accordance with the regional goals for a waste-free Twente (Dutch). For the UT this means a reduction of residual waste from 43kg to 10.5kg per person per year. To reach this goal, recycling rates on campus will have to improve. In addition to improving waste separation, the UT also wants to decrease plastic (PMD) waste from 2.8kg to 2.5kg per person per year. Other waste streams should decrease as well. For example by making digitally reading and handing in papers the norm, by extending the lifetime of electronics and by considering waste reduction, prevention and circularity in all new tender processes.

More information about waste separation of the UT for employees and students can be found on the Service Portal.

What can you do?

Prevent waste. Drink tap water instead of bottled water
Buy products with minimal packaging. Buy your fruit and vegetables unpackaged at the market.
Reuse products or look for reusable alternatives
Compost biodegradable waste (kitchen waste)
If you’re still left with waste, dispose of it in the correct waste bin. If the waste is separated properly, it’s easier to recycle.