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

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

CHEMARTS. Photo: Aalto University/ Eeva Suorlahti

Research for sustainability

Complex sustainability challenges like climate change, loss of biodiversity and global inequality call for ground-breaking and societally impactful research. Our key research areas give us a unique chance for creating practice-relevant knowledge on cutting-edge sustainability solutions.

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
Picture of leaves in water.
Press releases Published:

Graduate Sustainability Competencies and Influence in the Workplace – Aalto University's Latest Research

Aalto University's Meeri Karvinen successfully defends her doctoral dissertation, February 2024.
Photo collage of some of the actions funded by the Sustainability Action Booster grant
Campus, University Published:

Aalto University funds students' sustainability actions with tens of thousands in a year – “This is something we haven't seen in anywhere else”

Aalto University’s Sustainability Action Booster is a pioneering grant designed to support student-owned sustainability actions on campus and beyond.
School of Business students. Photo: Ari Toivonen
Awards and Recognition Published:

Financial Times: Aalto University School of Business world's top in sustainability education

The School of Business is one of five business schools in the world to get the Financial Times recognition
Lämpöpatteri
Research & Art Published:

Five things everyone should know about cooling and ventilation

How do we keep our houses cool when summers are getting hotter? Is it worth using a natural ventilation system? Is air-conditioning the same as cooling? Professor Risto Kosonen offers some tips for managing indoor air temperature in your home.
Aalto University students discussing in a group and enjoyng a summer sunny day outside Aalto University campus
Sustainability

Possibilities for students to be active in sustainability

At Aalto University, there are several ways students can engage in activities around sustainability. 
Kestävyysraportointikilpailun 2022 voittajat
Sustainability

What’s up in sustainability?

Webinars, courses, events, etc. that deal with sustainability themes are compiled on this page. Take a look and participate!
CIMANET
Doctoral education pilot

CIMANET Doctoral Education Pilot

Circular Materials Bioeconomy Network: From bio-based resources to advanced materials (CIMANET).
Aalto Repair & Rewear
Sustainability Action Booster

Aalto Repair & Rewear

Aalto Repair and Rewear empowers you with the knowledge and skills to repair your textiles and become part of a repair community at Aalto!
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