On March 30, the EU GREEN Alliance joins the global community in observing the International Day of Zero Waste, focusing this year on a critical theme: “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles.” With the fashion industry contributing an estimated 92 million tons of textile waste each year, the alliance is stepping up to raise awareness, engage students and staff, and promote sustainable and circular practices across its campuses.
This international day calls attention to the environmental, economic, and social consequences of excessive textile waste. As part of its commitment to sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), EU GREEN universities are launching creative initiatives that not only promote responsible consumption but also involve the academic community in real, tangible change.
The University of Gävle (UG), which leads this year’s efforts, is hosting a clothes swap event organized by students for students, creating a hands-on opportunity to reduce waste and extend the life of garments. Similarly, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) will also organize a campus-wide clothing swap, encouraging reuse over fast fashion.
The University of Évora (UE) will relaunch its Campus Store, offering affordable, donated items to reduce the demand for new textiles. Meanwhile, the University of Extremadura (UEx) is focusing on raising awareness around textile recyclability, helping students and staff understand the lifecycle of their clothing. At the University of Parma (UNIPR), a new communication campaign and digital platform will be launched to educate students on waste reduction and recycling habits.
By coming together on International Zero Waste Day, EU GREEN demonstrates its ongoing dedication to sustainable production and consumption patterns, and its active role in addressing the triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
