How to Act Environmentally Consciously on Campus
The Green University is an initiative that has involved the staff and students of the Estonian University of Life Sciences since 2008. The vision of the Green University is to be a university with a healthy studying and working environment and a minimal ecological footprint, which incorporates the principles of sustainable development in all its areas of activity.
Led by the Green University, various events take place every academic year: Green University Week, digital clean-up, movement and green step competitions, and more.
You can find information about Green University activities herelink opens in new page.
The University monitors its environmental footprint
What is our University’s impact on the planet? In 2023, the University began seeking answers to this question by starting to calculate its greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint. The year 2022 was chosen as the baseline year, during which both emissions and carbon sequestration were mapped. Each year, the previous year’s data is analysed to help the University gradually reduce its footprint.
Assessing the GHG footprint is not just about collecting numbers – it’s an important step toward a more conscious and responsible future. The results help us understand how to make more environmentally friendly choices. According to the 2024 analysis, the University’s largest emissions come from electricity consumption and transportation.
As a student, you can contribute to reducing the University’s footprint by choosing to walk, bike, or use public transport, using electricity efficiently, avoiding single-use products, and sorting waste. You can also help organise environmentally friendly events. Every small action counts, because it contributes to protecting the Earth’s environment.
Promoting biodiversity on the University campus
At the University, significant attention is given to campus biodiversity to ensure the highest possible level of biological diversity, while also considering the interests and needs of staff and students. The results of biodiversity monitoring and maintenance plans on campus are outlined in the campus biodiversity and maintenance planlink opens in new page (in Estonian). Some areas of the campus are left unmown to promote plant and animal diversity.
Community Garden
A community garden was established on the campus in 2021. The garden beds are maintained by volunteer students and staff. Caretakers for the available garden beds are selected through a competition.
Physical Activity
The campus features a sports hall, located in close proximity to a dendropark, the Tähtvere sports complex, and the Emajõgi River, all of which provide ideal year-round opportunities for an active lifestyle.
Twice a year, a movement challenge is held to remind participants of the positive impact that physical activity has on both mental and physical health, as well as on the environment. Participants can take part either by cycling or walking – every step and every kilometre counts.
We encourage choosing bicycles, public transport, or walking over cars when coming to the University.
- There are a total of five bus stops on or near the campus: Maaülikool, Metsamaja, Tartu Näitused, Zoomeedikum, and Tuglase. You can find bus schedules and ticket prices herelink opens in new page.
- The public transport system in Tartu uses renewable fuel – the buses run on biomethane, also known as green gas.
When traveling to and from Tallinn, LuxExpress buses are a convenient option, as the request stop “Tartu Näitused” is located in the heart of the campus.
- University buildings have designated bicycle parking areas. If you don’t have your own bike, the Tartu city bike-sharing system offers a convenient alternative. More information is available herelink opens in new page.
- For those who drive, we recommend carpooling with friends or colleagues whenever possible. Parking lots are located near the academic buildings. Please note that some parking spaces are reserved, paid, or designated for visitors only (e.g., near the dormitories or the sports hall).
Torni and Betton Dormitories and Torni Hostel
There are two dormitories on campus – Betton and Torn, the latter also housing a hostel. The Torni dormitory features a reuse room, where clean and usable household items such as dishes, flower pots, board games, and more can be given a second life. In Betton’s reading room, you can borrow books or donate them for others to enjoy.
The laundry rooms in the dormitories use ecological detergents that are also suitable for people with allergies. Residents have access to environmentally friendly, eco-labeled cleaning products for cleaning their rooms.
Between the dormitories, there is a greenhouse where residents can grow their own herbs or vegetables.
Catering
There are two cafés on the campus – one in the Main Building and one in the Forestry Building. Each day, the café offers at least one plant-based dish. Meals can also be taken to go using a reusable container, which is available for a deposit that is refunded upon return of the container.
There are microwave ovens available for heating your own food in both cafés as well as in student lounges within the academic buildings. For more information, please contact your officer of academic affairs.
Food sharing cupboard in Torni Dormitory
To reduce food waste and conserve resources, the Torni dormitory features a food sharing cupboard, which is regularly stocked with edible food and beverages in collaboration with the Tartu Food Sharinglink opens in new page initiative. The cupboard includes both a refrigerator and shelves for items that do not require cold storage.
Edible leftovers from university seminars, conferences, and other gatherings are also welcome. If needed, food can be picked up immediately – just call +372 5877 5857 or +372 512 0526.
Drinkable Tap Water
The tap water on the University campus is safe to drink. We encourage everyone to choose tap water over bottled water. Drinking water stations will soon be installed in the corridors of academic buildings, making it more convenient to fill your bottle and stay hydrated.
Using Your Own Cup at Coffee Machines
In the campus academic buildings, you can use your own coffee cup or thermos instead of a disposable paper cup at coffee machines, helping to reduce waste.
Waste Management on campus
At the University, every effort must be made to reduce or prevent waste generation and to ensure that waste does not pose excessive risks to health or the environment. Waste is sorted by type to enable more efficient recycling.
The University aims to move toward a zero-waste approach, focusing on waste reduction, prevention, and prioritizing reuse. It is important to design products to be durable and made from easily recyclable materials.
Proper waste separation is essential, as it makes recycling easier and helps reduce the amount of mixed municipal waste, which in Estonia is typically incinerated or landfilled. Sorted waste is handed over to a waste handler, who further separates it by material type and directs it into the production of new materials or items. For example, plastic collected in laboratories is used to produce decking boards, garden fences, flower pots, and more.
Instructions for sorting household waste collected separately at the University, as well as waste maps showing the locations of indoor and outdoor waste containers, can be found on the University’s websitelink opens in new page.
In the corridors of University buildings, waste containers are available for the following types of waste:
Small electronics (such as cables, headphones, phones, electric kettles, toasters, etc.) and batteries/accumulators are collected in designated boxes located in the corridors of academic buildings and dormitories.
Hazardous and potentially infectious waste generated during scientific and educational activities must be collected separately by type and kept apart from regular waste. For more information on handling hazardous waste, refer to the guide “Safety Instructions for Working in Educational and Research Laboratories” or consult your laboratory supervisor.
Best Practices for Organizing Sustainable Events
Organizing events involves the use of resources and has an environmental impact. As a Green University, the Estonian University of Life Sciences has developed a guide for organizing environmentally friendly eventslink opens in new page, which offers advice on preventing waste generation and sorting waste by type during events. The guide also includes information on transportation arrangements, menu planning, tableware, digital waste, decorations, and souvenirs.
- To contact the Green University team: [email protected]
- For topics related to campus facilities and maintenance: [email protected]
- To donate food or drinks to the food sharing cupboard, call: +372 5877 5857 or +372 512 0526.
Additional Information
Sille Rebane
Green University Strategy Manager
Rector's Area of Responsibility
Rector's Office
+372 7313171
+372 7313171
Siret Kapak
