The Sustainability and Environment Unit promotes a culture of environmental responsibility and supports actions to reduce the environmental impact of the University’s activities, both on and off campus.
The office promotes improvements to sustainability-related processes, focusing on more efficient management of energy and water resources, environmental protection, and the management of waste generated by the University.
It also promotes initiatives to share good practices and communication campaigns to encourage the adoption of sustainability policies.
Special Waste Management
By resolution No. 74 of 27 February 2025, the Board of Governors approved the renaming of the Sustainability Unit as the Sustainability and Environment Unit, expanding its responsibilities to include the management of the University’s waste. This decision brought an integrated set of environmental processes under a single unit, fostering a more efficient approach, consistent with regulatory requirements and more closely coordinated with internal departments and the external institutional bodies involved.
Special waste management is a key component of the University’s commitment to environmental protection and the responsible use of resources. Teaching, research and administrative activities generate different types of waste, requiring collection and management procedures suited to their characteristics.
The Unit coordinates and supports university departments and facilities in the proper management of special waste, from collection and segregation at the point of generation to temporary storage and transfer to authorised operators for subsequent recovery or disposal. Particular attention is paid to waste generated by laboratories and research activities, which requires specific procedures.
The Unit provides support for special waste management, ensuring compliance with the waste traceability requirements of the RENTRI system, from generation to final destination.
Through operational guidance, awareness-raising initiatives and training for the university community, the Unit promotes waste reduction at source, helping to reduce the environmental impact of the University’s activities.
Managing resources responsibly means reducing waste, extending the lifespan of goods and encouraging more sustainable everyday choices. The University promotes this approach through practical initiatives that shape the spaces and habits of the university community.
For example, installing drinking water fountains encourages the use of reusable water bottles and reduces reliance on single-use plastic bottles, while the reuse portal facilitates the sharing and redistribution of furniture that is still usable, reducing waste and the need for new purchases.
These actions, together with other initiatives currently being implemented, help make the most of available resources and foster a culture of reuse and shared responsibility, making sustainability an integral part of university life.
The Sustainability and Environment Unit works with the Unit responsible for energy efficiency to help reduce the University’s environmental impact and integrate sustainability criteria into management and investment decisions.
This collaboration includes contributing to the preparation of the Carbon Dioxide Emissions Inventory by collecting and processing the data needed to assess the University’s carbon footprint and identify potential areas for improvement.
Travel by the university community contributes to the University’s environmental impact. The Sustainability and Environment Unit works with the Research Facilities and Technological Services Unit, contributing to the analysis of travel patterns as part of the preparation of the emissions inventory.
In particular, this contribution involves collecting and processing data on access to university sites to help estimate emissions associated with travel by the university community. This work provides a clearer understanding of how mobility contributes to the University’s carbon footprint and informs initiatives aimed at promoting more sustainable travel.
The Sustainability and Environment Unit helps promote responsible behaviour by contributing to the drafting of regulations and the development of awareness-raising campaigns for the university community.
Working with the relevant departments and services, the Unit helps develop provisions that translate sustainability goals into everyday practices, such as purchasing recycled paper for offices and using plastic-free confetti during celebrations. Published on the University’s official website, these regulations provide a shared framework to guide activities and encourage respect for university spaces.
The Unit also supports information and awareness-raising campaigns, including anti-smoking initiatives, that promote health, environmental protection and collective well-being.
