A concept of waste reduction for the University of Osnabruck: Constructing the waste balance, and measures to inform and involve the staff [Teil IV: Ein abfallkonzept fur die Universitat Osnabruck: Erstellung der abfallbilanz und massnahmen zur mitarbeiterinformation und -beteiligung]

Abstract

One central aspect of the environmental management system for universities developed in Osnabruck is the environmental audit of universities, realized by an ecobalance. This article deals with constructing the waste balance. Main contents of the University's waste are paper (47%) and residual wastes (45%), respectively by weight, but an analysis of the residual waste revealed an insufficient sorting by the staff: 20 Vol% consist of paper and plastics, respectively. By separating these parts, the university could save 36,000 DM per anno waste disposal costs. Therefore measures were developed to inform and involve the staff to organize a better waste management.