Image
Reducing waste and encouraging circular economy practices
Published on 23 March 2021
Spain
Aragón
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The University of Zaragoza (UZ) “Green office” promotes sustainable consumption, framed within the circular economy principles, reducing different kinds of waste by facilitating projects committed to the 3 Rs; Reduce, Reuse and Recycle:
1) In construction projects promoting environmental standards with the “BREEAM” environmental label, which permits only 2.5% of the construction waste to be landfilled.
2) UZ Green office circular practice concerns recycling: With the help of small donations, the Green Office created a website, connecting easier with local NGOs; Circulating used furniture through an online marketplace called "mi grano de arena", where Spanish NGOs and associations can check the available furniture and acquire the materials free of charge. However, pick-up services are not included.
3) The UZ Green office provides the necessary means for the university community to achieve sustainable and responsible consumption by promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling in the university premises. Furthermore, the Green Office encourages students to be involved as “communicators” in the initiative ReZiviliZate (Re-Civilized) that was first organized during the 2019 European Week of Waste Reduction (EWWR). Marketing students raised awareness about plastic recycling and the environmental impacts of plastic pollution. The ReZiviliZate activities are easily transferable to other student communities by engaging them in similar awareness campaingns.
1) In construction projects promoting environmental standards with the “BREEAM” environmental label, which permits only 2.5% of the construction waste to be landfilled.
2) UZ Green office circular practice concerns recycling: With the help of small donations, the Green Office created a website, connecting easier with local NGOs; Circulating used furniture through an online marketplace called "mi grano de arena", where Spanish NGOs and associations can check the available furniture and acquire the materials free of charge. However, pick-up services are not included.
3) The UZ Green office provides the necessary means for the university community to achieve sustainable and responsible consumption by promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling in the university premises. Furthermore, the Green Office encourages students to be involved as “communicators” in the initiative ReZiviliZate (Re-Civilized) that was first organized during the 2019 European Week of Waste Reduction (EWWR). Marketing students raised awareness about plastic recycling and the environmental impacts of plastic pollution. The ReZiviliZate activities are easily transferable to other student communities by engaging them in similar awareness campaingns.
Expert opinion
As part of the Circular Economy Package, Member States are mandated to help facilitate access to discarded re-useable goods for organisations who can prepare them for re-use rather than letting them be prematurely recycled,
incinerated or landfilled. This good practice from the University of Zaragoza shows that action can be very well taken at the local level to help implement more re-use. There are some universities accross Europe that have given themselves Green Offices, and this is a highly replicate good approach. Especially when it comes to re-use, much impact can be achieved with little effort, to the benefit of all, and almost always especially wtih benefit for the more vulnerable parts of the population. Every university could have a green office.
incinerated or landfilled. This good practice from the University of Zaragoza shows that action can be very well taken at the local level to help implement more re-use. There are some universities accross Europe that have given themselves Green Offices, and this is a highly replicate good approach. Especially when it comes to re-use, much impact can be achieved with little effort, to the benefit of all, and almost always especially wtih benefit for the more vulnerable parts of the population. Every university could have a green office.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
One person dedicates 10% of his total working time (with a annual salary of 24.000 euro), the office is located on the University campus.
For the project Re-Civilized, the students have the most important role, so that this work gives them some points for their university curriculum.
For the project Re-Civilized, the students have the most important role, so that this work gives them some points for their university curriculum.
Evidence of success
A total of 8,433 kg of material as old furniture was reused by redirecting it to 16 NGOs and city councils throughout Spain. Preventing almost 15,000 kg of CO2, an amount equivalent to the daily use of 2,490 cars. The practice generated great interest in the Spanish community.
The main beneficiaries were associations and NGOs that work with the elderly and local municipality, both of which used the furniture in their respective facilities.
The main beneficiaries were associations and NGOs that work with the elderly and local municipality, both of which used the furniture in their respective facilities.
Potential for learning or transfer
High transfer potential to other universities, big institutions and municipalities as one can easily create a website where to post the availability of old furniture or objects to be donated.
The UZ green office is a good example of how others can learn ways to reduce and reuse waste. Furthermore, the practice facilitates and promotes ways of acquiring or donating excess furniture that other institutions might need, thus reducing natural resources otherwise needed to make new furniture.
The UZ green office is a good example of how others can learn ways to reduce and reuse waste. Furthermore, the practice facilitates and promotes ways of acquiring or donating excess furniture that other institutions might need, thus reducing natural resources otherwise needed to make new furniture.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Universidad de Zaragoza
Spain
Aragón
Contact
Gobierno de Aragón