Waste management

VŠE is aware of the need to address the issue of responsible waste management, waste prevention and the possibility of effective cost reduction of waste disposal. The issue of waste is reflected in at least eight Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are SDG 1 – Zero hunger, SDG 3 – Good health and well-being, SDG 4 –  Quality education; SDG 6 – Clean water and sanitation; SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production, and SDG 14 – Life below water.

Sorting bins for glass, paper, plastic, metal, and glass are currently available on VŠE premises. The placement of water fountains and Lokni machines for filtered water is an effort to minimise the use of disposable PET bottles. Students also have the option of sorting waste on the dormitory premises. The University conducted an internal questionnaire survey revealing that students and staff are interested in waste management. The results clearly show the high willingness of both groups to sort waste and to obtain additional information on how this sorted waste is further processed. More initiatives are welcome, as shown in the objectives below.

The fundamental long-term goal of VŠE is to continuously reduce the production of mixed municipal waste, increase the share of separated waste, and, above all, minimise waste production through prevention.

Reduce waste

Measures
  • Track the proportion of waste generated by VŠE in relation to revenue.
  • Prepare an analysis of waste management at VŠE.
  • Develop and implement an action plan to reduce municipal waste production and increase recycling.
  • Work with students and partners on projects aimed at waste prevention and reduction.
  • Help students recycle and reuse products (especially at the end of the semester).
  • Reduce the number of vending machines to minimise the volume of disposable beverage containers produced.
  • Support the organisation of zero-waste, low-waste and packaging-free events.
  • Increase the number of bins for sorted waste and place them in new locations in the University buildings.
  • Reduce the number of mixed waste bins, particularly in offices and lecture theatres.
  • Promote digitising of administrative processes and teaching materials to reduce paper consumption.

Reduce food waste

Measures
  • Introduce, in collaboration with partners, efficient food takeaway from the canteen (re-boxes/eco-packages etc.).
  • Address the donation or other use of unconsumed food in cooperation with food service providers.
  • Ensure composting of food waste (pre- and post-consumption) in cooperation with partners.
  • Develop rules for zero-waste catering services and events, promote the rules and prioritise compostable disposable packaging.

Promote product reuse

Measures
  • Promote the circular economy across campus through regular swaps and other events.
  • Establish a permanent “reuse” site on campus.

Improve information on waste management

Measures
  • Enhance student and staff awareness of waste sorting by placing infographics on waste bins and introducing mandatory training on the Moodle platform.
  • Unify marking of containers for sorted waste in Czech and English.
  • Place maps with a plan of the VŠE premises with marked containers for sorted waste.
  • Prepare and launch an information campaign focusing on the amount of waste produced on the grounds of VŠE, together with information on how sorted waste is managed after disposal.