Recycling and Waste
Recycling and Waste
Waste reduction is at the core of our sustainability initiatives. We aim to minimize the environmental impact of campus activities while encouraging responsible consumption by implementing comprehensive recycling and waste management programs:
- Comprehensive waste management: Implement waste segregation systems across campus to ensure that recyclables, non-recyclables, and organic food are properly sorted and treated.
- Zero-waste initiatives: Develop and promote campus-wide zero-waste policies, focusing on reducing packaging, reusing materials, and minimizing overall consumption.
- Educational campaigns: Educate students, faculty, and staff on the importance of reducing waste, recycling effectively, and adopting sustainable habits in daily life.
- Sustainable dining services: Transition campus dining services to zero-waste practices by using reusable containers, eliminating plastic packaging, and implementing food waste reduction programs.
- Composting programs: Launch composting initiatives for organic waste generated from campus dining areas and green spaces, diverting waste from landfills and enriching the campus ecosystem.
Programs
VinUniversity’s sustainability team partnered with Ecoquity club to launch a campus-wide recycling initiative. The program includes three new sorting stations, communication campaigns, behavioral assessments, and a workshop to raise awareness among students and staff on responsible consumption and waste separation.
In response to the 2025 Action Month for Environment and World Environment Day (June 5) theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” VinUni has partnered with on-campus food and beverage providers to implement plastic reduction measures since June 2025. Key actions include eliminating plastic bags and cup carriers for staff and students, reducing single-use plastic items like lids and straws, and offering discounts for customers using reusable containers. This initiative has reduced campus plastic waste, promoted sustainable lifestyle practices, and generated waste management cost savings.
At VinUniversity, we are committed to building a greener campus by encouraging our community to switch from gasoline to electric vehicles. Through this initiative, faculty and staff receive exclusive discounts when purchasing EVs, have access to free on-campus electric vehicle charging stations, and benefit from prioritized parking spaces for electric cars. In addition, our weekly Green Wednesday campaign encourages students, faculty, and staff to adopt eco-friendly habits—such as reducing plastic use, conserving energy, and greening personal spaces. These efforts are part of our broader sustainability strategy, aiming to reduce carbon emissions, support eco-friendly choices, and create a healthier environment for all VinUnians.
Since January 2020, VinUni has installed and put into operation 34 Elkay water fountain filters to encourage the use of personal water bottles and reduce single-use plastic bottles. As a result, almost 1.5 million plastic bottles have been prevented from being used, making a meaningful contribution to sustainable development goals and reducing plastic waste on campus.
