Circularity
Imagine a campus where waste no longer exists. Everything we have left becomes a resource for something new. Construction materials from renovations receive a second life in new buildings. Furniture, laboratory equipment and IT resources are recycled, repaired, shared or reused. We use what the Earth provides us with cleverly and share our knowledge about this with the world.
At Utrecht University, we work towards that vision every day. In the current economy, many products are made, used and then discarded. This leads to an enormous mountain of waste, additional carbon emissions and exhaustion of important resources. We do not want to contribute to that as UU. That is why we encourage reuse and make the concious choice for renewable resources which can grow back. By doing so, we save a lot of energy, prevent waste and enhance biodiversity, as fewer resources that put pressure on nature are needed.
Our ambition: a university where products, materials and knowledge keep circulating for a sustainable world.
Onze aanpak
Good examples
Sustainable laboratories Laboratories with lower energy consumption, less waste and less plastic.
Zero-waste programme No more waste, just raw materials.
Future-proof buildings Healthy, energy-efficient and circular buildings for the future.
Procurement Circular procurement, unless there is absolutely no other option.
Catering Making the food supply more sustainable and reducing food waste.
Want to find out more?
Listen to the episode ‘Future-proof building at Utrecht Science Park’ from the shortcast ‘Een Academisch Kwartiertje met...’ featuring Tim Sluiter, Project Manager East, and Ernst Worrell, Professor of Energy, Raw Materials and Technological Change.