News

Pilot for recycling plastic packaging waste to start at Aalto

Aalto CRE will start a pilot for collecting and recycling plastic packaging waste in three of Aalto University’s properties. The aim is to reduce the carbon footprint of Aalto’s waste management, to simplify waste sorting and to improve our recycling rate. There has been a lot of interest and requests for recycling plastic packaging waste throughout the Aalto-community, since until now plastic packaging waste has been sorted into mixed waste containers.
Recycling bins

“We want to take advantage of this chance to test out collecting plastic packaging waste, and to encourage sustainable development and recycling materials in general. We want to offer everyone using these buildings an easy way to do their part by sorting the packaging from their snacks and other plastic packaging in the separate plastic packaging waste bins”, says Satu Kankaala, Head of Business Development.

“Recycling plastic is a hot topic right now. Even though there’s still some uncertainty about how to handle the collection, we want to provide our personnel the opportunity to contribute to the efforts of sustainable development by recycling, for example, plastic packaging of ready-made meals. It's useful to note that we do not say recycling plastic but rather talk about recycling plastic packaging waste. Recycling opportunities are also increased by adding separate bins for cardboard waste at the same time. Both plastic packaging and cardboard have previously been sorted into energy waste bins at Aalto”, says Property Coordinator Tanja Pietikäinen.

The pilot will start in June at Otakaari 4 and Betonimiehenkuja 3 and 5. Separate waste bins for plastic packaging will be provided, and from these bins the waste will be taken to Fortum’s Plastic Refinery. Recycled plastic is used to make watering cans and other plastic garden products, for example. The pilot will be ongoing until the end of 2019, after which it is planned to expand the plastic packaging collection to cover the whole campus area.

For further information, please contact:
Aalto CRE/Tanja Pietikäinen, tanja.pietikainen@aalto.fi

  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

The PulseOn team posing for the camera. 7 men in suits, 5 standing and 2 sitting on the sides
Campus, Research & Art, University Published:

PulseOn Oy sprung up from the Nokia Bridge Program

In 2011, Nokia Oyj launched its extensive Nokia Bridge Program that aimed to help experts start entrepreneurship and find employment after being laid off. Aalto Startup Center offered business accelerator services to the participants and coached them in innovation and commercial processes.
Person in dark hoodie using a lit photo booth at a busy indoor event with people and stands in background
University Published:

Aalto University ranks 126th in the world in QS World University Rankings

Aalto performs best in the employment outcomes and sustainability indicators.
The Zipizop team, an alumni company from the Aalto Startup Center
Campus, Cooperation Published:

Helene Auramo started her career as an entrepreneur at TaiK’s Arabus incubator

The University of Art and Design Helsinki launched the Arabus business incubator in 2007 in Arabianranta. A couple of years later, Arabus merged into the Aalto StartUp Center and moved to Salmisaari.
Korkeakouluaukio
Campus Published:

Customer satisfaction with Aalto University campus premises remains high – ACRE’s overall rating increased and NPS strengthened

ACRE measures its facility tenants’ satisfaction annually through a customer satisfaction survey. Read the latest survey results.