Sustainability

Instructions and tips for a sustainable life

Our green campus is made of small and large activities.
Aalto University Campus
Image: Unto Rautio / Aalto University
Welcome to sustainable Aalto 2020, pdf, attachment
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Food

After housing and mobility, food is the most significant factor affecting climate change.

  • Choose plant-based and seasonal foods, as well as local, organic and fairtrade.
  • Only take as much as you can eat.
  • Use proper cutlery, instead of paper or plastic.
  • Tapwater is an ecological choice for drink.
  • You can share and pick up leftover foods through the student’s telegram group.

Electronics, IT

Use computers and other devices eco-efficiently. The Aalto IT Service Desk can help you.

  • Check the power save settings on your computer, even the sleep mode uses power.
  • Turn off the screen, lights and devices, when not in use.
  • Minimise your paper consumption, print on both sides of a paper and in smaller print.

Waste

Make smart choices – avoid waste.

Transportation

Aalto strives for sustainable mobility with HSL and cities.

Purchases

Otaniemi recycling center is the perfect place to rent your homeware. You can also donate, buy and get free useful stuff in the heart of the campus: fb.com/reuseandrescue

Leisure time and events

Look for other events by student union's Campus Section and other associations, such as the Village Clean-up Day.

Housing and university buildings 

Aalto aims for energy efficiency in campuses.

  • Change to green electricity
  • ”No adds please / Ei mainoksia” sticker in your door cuts down the paper waste.
  • Switch off the lights when you don't need to use them.
  • Switch off your workstation's screen, when leaving the work station.
  • Use email or other electronic communications channels instead of printouts
  • Conserve water

The most effective way to promote sustainability is through your studies

People in park

Research for sustainability

Aalto University generates knowledge, understanding and solutions that enable well-being within the limits of one planet. We combine expertise in art, technology, and business to develop solutions for some of the world's greatest challenges.

Sustainability
Lajittelu

Recycling and sorting

Efficient recycling and sorting of waste is part of Aalto University's sustainable development strategy. We strive to reduce waste and reuse raw materials for either new products or energy.

Services
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Our group researches, teaches and develops both new and traditional approaches to sustainable construction. We actively collaborate with cities, municipalities and actors in the building sector.

Our research focuses on resource flows in the built environment, life cycle assessment, circular economy, innovative materials, and the climate and biodiversity impacts of construction.

In our bachelor’s-level courses, we teach the anatomy and metabolism of buildings, the basics of building materials and structures, as well as sustainable development in the built environment. At the master’s level, studies focus on advanced topics in sustainability and circular economy, complemented by architectural design studios.
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