Act for sustainability at university
On this web page, we present different ways to make a practical contribution to sustainability at UZH. The list is not exhaustive, and we work to continually expand it.
Studies
Getting involved in a student-led sustainability initiative
Students have the opportunity to engage in a student-led sustainability initiative.
Teaching
Integrating sustainability in teaching
The Sustainability Team presents a non-exhaustive list of supporting tools for integrating sustainability in teaching.
eLearning Tool at UZH's Department of Geography – Globalisation and livelihood of people living in poverty
Td-net's toolbox – Co-Producing Knowledge
oikos – Sustainability Cases Programme
Sustainicum Collection – Educational Material for Sustainability
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education – Resources on Sustainability Curriculum
Certificate of Advanced Studies programs
UZH offers the following Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) programs that are related to sustainability:
Mobility
Commuting
Replacing business trips by virtual meetings
Travelling by train in Europe
Food
Favoring vegetarian menus at the cafeteria
Factsheet Food in University Life
Modification Platte 14
The cafeteria Plattenstrasse shines after a short renovation not only new, but with a completely different interior and a new innovative offer. It will be the new hot spot, with a focus on homemade and vegan. The urban and cozy atmosphere invites you to relax. In the Platte 14 you can either eat and drink, have meetings, study, or simply enjoyed a fine organic barista coffee.
reCIRCLE in all canteens
Following the successful pilot project during the Sustainability Week in March 2019, the reCIRCLE depot system is introduced in all UZH canteens. You can order as usual the food, but in the reBOX for 10 Francs depot in addition to the menu price. After use, you have the option of either returning or keeping the reBOX. Very easy! The reBOX is produced in Switzerland. TIt is leak-proof, suitable for washing machines and microwaves.
Ordering sustainable refreshments
IT devices
Extending the service life of devices
device exchange Factsheet Media Use
Sharing print media and avoiding printing of electronic documents
Pulling the plug from devices
Disconnect devices with high standby power consumption from the power supply, especially during long absences.
Paper and office supply
Using recycling paper
Since fall 2018, UZH has a one-paper-strategy: UZH offers only one type of copy paper in its store and recommends its employees to use this paper. The selected paper (Refutura) consists of 100% recycling paper and fulfils the strict requirements of the environmental label «Blauer Engel». By choosing this type of paper, you decide for an environmentally friendly paper: The production of fresh fibre paper causes more than 2.5 times more greenhouse gas emissions than the production of the paper of the one-paper-strategy (Refutura).
Life cycle assessment of different paper types (PDF)
Reducing print jobs and printing double-sided
In 2014, UZH purchased around 23 million sheets of photocopy and printing paper (excluding print products and envelopes). This can be reduced by conscious printing.
Adjusting the delivered volume of UZH print media to the actual need
You can change your subscription of the UZH Journal and UZH Magazin individually.
Adjust subscription of UZH Journal and UZH Magazin
For changes to the order of your department for the UZH Journal, please send an email to Fabiola Thomann.
For changes to the order for the UZH annual report, please send an email to Marita Fuchs.
Platform for office supply
Instead of disposing unused office supply such as folders or envelopes, UZH employees can pass this on for free to other employees. Employees can either pick up the material themselves or have it delivered via internal mail.
Book cabin for book exchange
The book cabin in the main building is available for everyone to exchange books. Instead of throwing away books they can be exchanged here.