Recycling campaign calls for greater effort from the Aalto community
The recycling campaign has now lasted about nine months.
Recycling campaign ends - activities continue!
The entire university-wide recycling campaign ended at the end of September 2025. However, the work on recycling and sorting continues, every member of the community can make a difference.
The annual recycling rate of waste at Aalto University's Otaniemi campus has averaged 64 percent, and the aim of the campaign was to increase the recycling rate to 70 percent by October 2025. Currently, the campus generates 1,400 tons of waste per year.
At the heart of the recycling campaign was the idea that everyone can do their part to reduce waste by consuming critically and sorting their waste carefully, because properly sorted waste can be used as new raw materials. Although the graphic shows that the percentage target was not met, many effective methods for better sorting and recycling were promoted during the campaign. Additionally, an analysis of waste volumes has shown that recycling of plastic packaging and cardboard on campus has been enhanced.
Concrete actions to promote recycling
A sorting development pilot was started in the lobby areas of Maarintie 8 over the course of the year, and it is intended to expand to other campus buildings later. In addition, based on an idea received from Aalto University students, different coloured rubbish bags have been introduced for different fractions, making the sorting process easier for cleaners.
Several training sessions related to sorting have been held for campus tenants, and those interested in recycling and waste management have had the opportunity to explore the contents and further processing of waste from the campus at Ämmässuo eco-industrial centre.
"For example, we received more positive than negative feedback from the pilot at Maarintie 8, so the practice can now be cautiously extended to other buildings. Similarly, we are still investing in training and information sharing", says cleaning and waste management services specialist Tanja Pietikäinen from ACRE.
One of the campaign’s objectives was to raise awareness, which, based on the amount of feedback received, was nicely achieved. "The community provided a lot of feedback and good ideas on how we can develop and facilitate sorting on campus. Although big changes bring great benefits, the feedback also highlighted what everyone can achieve through small, everyday choices. So our work continues", Pietikäinen adds.
Do you already have a good idea or tip on how to improve waste recycling on campus? Leave it under this article (logged-in users) or write to us at info-acre@aalto.fi. Based on the tips, we can quickly affect the ease of recycling on campus if needed.
Sustainability in action: recycling campaign at Aalto University continues
The recycling campaign across the entire Aalto community was launched in October 2024.
First results of the campus wide recycling campaign
The Aalto community-wide recycling campaign was launched in October 2024.
Recycling campaign starts on Otaniemi campus
We will launch a waste recycling campaign on the Otaniemi campus in early October. The aim is to increase the recycling rate and reduce the amount of mixed waste.
Read more news
Future makers research batteries, cryptography and plastic recycling
The Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation awarded 3.5 million euros in research funding to eight projects, five from Aalto University.
From award-winning food packaging to researching biodesign spaces
From an early age, Ena Naito was drawn to both the sciences and design. She found the perfect place to bring those two worlds together.
Architect and designer Talisa Dwiyani combines passion, materials, and collaboration in her work
Indonesia-born Talisa's takeaway from Aalto University is the cross-disciplinary way of working.