The EU GREEN Alliance is taking part in the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR), a Europe-wide initiative to promote sustainable resource and waste management. From November 16 to 24, 2024, EU GREEN contributes with five joint webinars on food waste and several engaging campus events, aligning its commitment to environmental stewardship and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Joint Webinar on Food Waste
The highlight of EU GREEN’s contribution to the EWWR is a collaborative webinar featuring seven expert speakers from across the alliance. This series will provide attendees with valuable insights into tackling food waste and promoting sustainable practices:
•Session 1 (10:00-10:25 CET): Kerry Gallagher from Atlantic Technological University (ATU) will present “FoodCloud – Tackling Food Waste in Ireland”, exploring how the FoodCloud initiative reduces food waste by redistributing surplus food to those in need.
•Session 2 (10:25-10:50 CET): Julieth Lizcano-Prada from the University of Extremadura (UEx) will explore “Analysis of Consumer Behaviour Towards Food Waste in Colombia”, offering perspectives from Latin America and addressing strategies to shift consumer habits toward sustainability.
•Session 3 (10:50-11:15 CET): Maria João Cabrita from the University of Évora (UÉ) will discuss “Sustainable Practices for a Greener Future – The Olive Oil Sector”, showcasing how the Mediterranean olive oil industry can adopt sustainable practices to reduce waste and promote environmental responsibility.
•Break (11:15-11:30 CET)
•Session 4 (11:30-11:55 CET): Rui Dias from the University of Évora (UÉ) will challenge conventional approaches to food consumption in his talk “Unsustainable Sustainability: What We Eat or… What We Don’t Eat”, focusing on the ethical dilemmas and hidden impacts of food choices.
•Session 5 (11:55-12:20 CET): Marion Redureau and Gabriel Soleil from the French Student Welfare Office will present “Social Catering and Sustainable Food”, sharing best practices from the French university catering system.
•Session 6 (12:20-12:45 CET): Jose Luis Fernández-Pacheco Sáez from the University of Extremadura (UEx) will conclude with “Reducing Food Waste Through Decentralized Composting”, exploring scalable solutions for managing food waste effectively through decentralized composting systems.
This joint effort exemplifies EU GREEN’s dedication to fostering collaborative solutions to global challenges, creating a platform for knowledge-sharing and innovation.
Campus Events Across EU GREEN Universities
EU GREEN universities are hosting diverse activities to engage their local communities and promote awareness of waste reduction and sustainability.
At Atlantic Technological University (ATU), students and visitors have already participated in interactive waste collection games during open days and science fairs earlier in November. These hands-on activities demonstrated creative ways to understand waste management.
The University of Magdeburg (OVGU) will focus on community engagement with a Campus Clean-Up Walk on November 19, inviting staff and students to improve the campus environment. The same day, a film screening and discussion of The North Drift will shed light on environmental issues related to waste. On November 21, a lecture titled “Young People’s Perspectives on Climate Change” will feature expert insights and student discussions at the Magdeburg City Library.
The University of Angers (UA) will host a “Zero Waste Bin Autopsy Workshop” on November 18, where participants can analyze waste disposal practices. This will be complemented by a webinar on the circular economy on November 19, exploring campus sustainability initiatives in France.
At the University of Évora (UE), activities are centered on food sustainability. A training workshop with Joana Barrios on November 26 will teach sustainable cooking practices to students and university staff. Additionally, dissemination panels showcasing waste reduction strategies will be displayed from November 26-28, accompanied by a KM0 meal event promoting local food sourcing. On November 20, a webinar in collaboration with the Estremoz Living Science Center will target schools and the general public to discuss environmental waste management.
The University of Extremadura (UEx) is hosting activities to raise awareness about e-waste and food waste. On November 19, a session titled “We Manage Your E-Waste to Generate Social Benefits” will educate students on e-waste recycling. On November 26, the focus will shift to creative composting with “Seeding the Soil with Leftover Food: Creative Vermicomposting for Ecoheroes”, involving both university students and primary school children.
At the University of Parma, the “Clean Up the World” initiative on November 21 will take place to raise awareness about waste reduction and recycling, while improving campus accessibility for all. Organized by the Sustainable Campus Group, the event will involve students, staff, and local associations such as I Monnezzari, Legambiente Parma, and Legambiente Volunteer Ecological Guards (GELA). Participants will meet at 3 pm in front of the Congress Centre of the Science Building Complex, where kits and equipment will be distributed before groups set out to cover various campus areas. Since 2015, the University of Parma has been part of the Network of Universities for Sustainable Development (RUS) and, as a member of EU GREEN, it has expanded its efforts to promote environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
The University of Gävle will host “Time to Stop Food Waste – A Day to Raise Environmental Awareness” on November 19, 2024, at the Student Centre. This event, aimed at students and staff, seeks to highlight the impact of consumption habits on the environment and promote practical solutions for reducing food waste.
The program includes a completely vegan menu served at Markan restaurant throughout the day, showcasing sustainable food choices. Slow Food Gästrikland, a regional organization, will engage attendees with information about their activities and answer questions from 11:00 to 14:00. Additionally, Slow Food Gästrikland will deliver a lunch presentation titled “Regenerate – No Waste Through Slow Food”, scheduled from 12:10 to 12:50 in Krusenstjernasalen.
At the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr) students, university employees, as well as residents of Wroclaw will have a great opportunity to learn how to reduce waste production and give new life to things that seem no longer needed – both in theory and in practice. Lectures, divided in two panels, will teach on two issues “Check out what we do with waste” and “Idea in action – from theory to practice – change habits, change the world!”, while meetings with specialists give the opportunity to dispel any doubts when it comes to being eco-friendly. Two workshops, “Vermicomposting” and “Zero waste in the kitchen” and “Vermicomposting” will show the possibilities for waste reduction in practice. The last day of the European Week for Waste Reduction comes under the slogan “Your unwanted, my treasure” when everyone can bring their unwanted things and exchange them for something. The Ecosystem will give a lecture about the “ABCs of municipal waste segregation in Wroclaw” and SZOP (“Problem Waste Collection Vehicle”) collects all small-sized and problem waste that participants bring.
A Call to Action
By participating in the EWWR, EU GREEN underscores its dedication to fostering sustainability through education, research, and community engagement. The webinars and campus activities demonstrate the alliance’s commitment to raising awareness and driving impactful change in waste management practices. These efforts reflect EU GREEN’s broader mission to build a sustainable future through collective action and innovation.
Together, we can make a difference—join EU GREEN in promoting a greener, waste-free Europe!
