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Waste management & materials

Waste separation at the University of Basel
Image: Universität Basel, Facilities

A sustainable resource management concept spans from procurement, e.g. purchasing reusable materials, all the way to the proper sorting of materials for recycling.

Hazardous waste

Diagram showing amount of hazardous waste disposed of at the University of Basel from 2015-2018
Kilograms of hazardous waste disposed of at the University of Basel from 2015-2018. Preservative solution, mineral oils, batteries and fluorescent lamps are not included in these statistics. Image: University of Basel, Sustainability Office

   

Hazardous waste is mainly generated in the natural sciences, such as in research, but also during student’s lab exercises. Compared to the last four years, the increase in halogenated versus halogen-free solvent waste is striking.

Hazardous waste is disposed of by certified disposal companies. The hazardous materials safety advisors are responsible for complying with legal guidelines as well as documenting the waste categories. A hazardous materials platform offering guidelines and resources as well as an e-learning course has been set up to educate staff and students.

Waste prevention in catering

Several measures were implemented in the university’s cafeterias and cafés in 2018 to reduce single-use packaging and waste: Reusable dishes from reCIRCLE are available at all locations; hot drinks served in customer’s own cups are sold at a discount; drinking straws have been completely banned, and plastic stirrers have been replaced with wooden ones.

Services & further information

  • Event guide: The guide for sustainable university events provides practical tips and recommendations on how to organize low-waste events.
  • Reusable cup lending: For larger events at the university, up to 1,750 reusable cups in the university’s design (3 dl plastic, mint-colored) can be borrowed by contacting SV. The environmental impact of the reusable cups is five times less than that of disposable cups.
  • On the Sustainability Office webpage you can find the brochure «Sustainability: Tips for Everyday Life» and the fact sheets «Fair and responsible use of resources» and «Print wisely».
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