How do I save resources?

Could you do with a little less?

We live in a society that produces vast amounts of waste. In Germany, this amounts to almost 500 kilograms per capita per year. Much of it cannot be recycled and results in unusable waste. Recycling processes are likewise energy-intensive and involve additional consumption of resources. By no means everything that ends up in the yellow bin is actually recycled: the recycling rate in Germany was below 50% in 2019. Not even 10% of raw material use can currently be avoided through recycling. Thus in addition to proper separation, waste avoidance is an important part of dealing sustainably with our planet.

Helpful information concerning garbage

• The university's Waste ABC de (available in German only) helps you to sort all types of trash occurring in daily university life.
• You can find more tips on proper waste separation at muelltrennung-wirkt.deExternal link.
• You can get the most important facts on waste separation at a glance with this posterExternal link (available in German only) from the German Environment agency.

This way you can improve your waste management:

• Buy products without packaging if possible. If you can't avoid it, make sure the packaging is as light and recyclable as possible. Caution: Disposable glass often has a worse eco-balance than plastic, especially if the transport route is long.
• Separate your trash. In university facilities, different containers are often located in hallways or foyers. Avoid disposing of residual waste in the yellow container – this seriously interferes with the recycling process.
• Bring used glass to the appropriate container and make sure it is separated by color. The lid should be disposed of in the yellow garbage can.
• Separate wrappings into their individual components, such as removing the lid of a yogurt container from the rest of the cup – this will help the waste to be recycled.
• Dispose of cables and batteries at collection sites for electronic waste only. Further information on the disposal of electrical appliances is available at Kommunalservice JenaExternal link (in German only).
• Avoid packaging made from composite materials (e.g. the paper bag with plastic window), as these are difficult to separate.
• Do not dispose of bags made of so-called bioplastics in organic waste! Biodegradable plastics take a long time to decompose and cannot be recycled in composting plants.

Perhaps the simplest trick: When thirsty, satisfy yourself with water from the tap. Many research studies confirm that tap water in Germany is perfectly safe. In some places the purity is even better than that of bottled water. One of the reasons for this is the fact that tap water has to pass quality tests much more often.

By drinking tap water, you help to avoid emissions that occur during transportation, save chemicals used to clean bottles, and reduce the use of raw materials used to produce disposable bottles. At Refill JenaExternal link you can find a map with places where you can refill your bottle with fresh water for free.

You can report leaking faucets at the university to the responsible janitorial service de (available in German only)!

You can find information and tips on saving water in private households at Friends of the Earth UKExternal link and the German Environment AgencyExternal link (available in German only). You can make a difference every day, especially when showering and doing laundryExternal link!

Sustainability in your appartment

You are about to start your degree in a new city and are facing the challenge to get setled in your flat share or dorm room. More than a thousand students in Jena experience this situation every year. A visit to the furniture discounter seems inevitable to keep costs affordable. However, the downsides of cheap furniture are its resource-intensive production and its short lifespan.

"Fast Furniture" is proving to be a destructive trend globally: the quality of the products is often poor. Quickly the new shelf ends up in the dumpster. The good news: There are ways to furnish your room in a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective way. Often you can even find more individual pieces for your own four walls:

• Look out for give-away boxes on the side of the road – sometimes you can find useful items for your appartment.
• Visit the free shopExternal link (available in German only) – here you can get everything without money.
• Giveaway shelves and sharing groups can be of great help. Via Ebay KleinanzeigenExternal link (available in German only) you might be lucky to find used items for free or at low cost.

Please note: The websites and groups mentioned are an exemplary compilation. The Friedrich Schiller University Jena does not advertise for named or against not named institutions.

Ease the shopping madness

The world is full of advertising that wants to persuade us to buy yet another thing that we allegedly need for our happiness. But did we really miss anything without the new sandwich maker or the third pair of sparkly sunglasses?

Before you start your next shopping trip, think about which purchases are really necessary and what products will serve their purpose for a long time.

Before purchasing, ask yourself:

• Has the product been produced fairly?
• How harmful is the product for the environment?
• Do I need to buy this item new or do I already have something that I could easily fix, repurpose, etc.?
• Do I really have to possess the product myself, or can I share it with flatmates, friends or neighbours?
• Does the item have multiple functions or will I need to buy something similar again later?
• Does it make sense to spend more money on a durable product instead of having to replace it soon?
• Can I buy it used?

You can create a list counting how often you miss an item to decide if you really do need a new purchase. Only when you realize that you would really use it often (e.g. 15 times) should you consider buying it. This way you avoid impulsive buying.