Circularity
Waste Management
Waste separation is strongly encouraged at the HZ. The HZ Green Office is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of proper waste separation and actively reducing the amount of waste that is produced on-campus.
Together with the facility management, we work on waste prevention and separation strategies. For example, the separated garbage/recycling stations around the building and adopting reusable coffee cups like the Billie Cup. We also assist APV student housing and the City of Middelburg to promote proper waste-separation among students.
Student Initiatives and Community Support
In 2017, HZ students took the initiative to start waste-separation in APV student housing in Vlissingen. This project was later expanded by other student groups and eventually adopted by the HZ Green Office. The initiative is supported by the City of Vlissingen, helping them work towards the European legislation goal of reducing waste from 400kg to 100kg per person annually.
Clothes Swaps and Upcycling - Refresh your Wardrobe Sustainably!
The Green Office regularly organises and participates in clothes swaps and upcycling events, promoting sustainable fashion and reducing textile waste. At our clothes swaps, you can trade your pre-loved clotheing for something new-to-you, giving clothing a second life while refreshing your wardrobe in an eco-friendly way. Our upcycling events are all about creativity, transforming old clothes into unique, wearable pieces or repurposed items!
Join us in making fashion more sustainable - swap, upcycle, and reduce waste! Keep an eye out for our upcoming events.
Repair Café – Give Your Items a Second Life!
In today's throwaway culture, too many items end up in landfills unnecessarily - things that could easily be repaired. The Repair Café is here to change this! At our Repair Cafés, we bring people together to fix everyday items. Whether you have something that needs repairing or simply want to learn how to fix things yourself, everyone is welcome! Skilled volunteers are available to help, share knowledge, and keep valuable repair skills alive.
But why would you repair stuff? Well, repairing is good for the environment, saves you money, and helps to reduce waste. But it's also a great way to learn new skills, meet people, and experience the satisfaction of making something work again. Even if you've never held a screwdiver before, you'll be surprised at how simple and rewarding repairs can be!
We regularly organise Repair Café events where you can bring broken items and get help to fix them, for free! Whether you're an experienced DIYer or just curious, you're invited to take part. Together, we can reduce waste, promote sustainability, and builld a community that values repair over replacement. Stay updated on upcoming Repair Café events and join us in making a difference!
Office Supplies Recycling Box
Since June 12th, 2018, the Green Office has provided an Office Supplies Recycling Box to reduce waste and promote sustainability. The box was originally placed next to the HZ Shop, then temporarily located in PE2, and now the box is located in the L-Hallway and at the back of the HZ Café. You can also leave your old batteries there!
Students and employees can drop off used or unwanted pens, markers, paperclips, and other office supplies, giving them a second life instead of letting them go to waste. By participating, you can help to reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable campus.
Stop by and recycle your office supplies today!
Giving Bikes & Belongings a Second Life
At the Green Office, we’re all about sustainability—and that includes bikes! Thanks to a collaboration with our school’s janitors, we’re now officially receiving abandoned bikes that have been left on campus for a long time. Instead of going to waste, these bikes will be refurbished and made available for students.
Want to use a bike? You can earn one by participating in Green Office activities for a set number of hours. When you no longer need the bike—whether in six months or three years—it returns to the Green Office, ready for another student to use. A simple way to keep things moving sustainably!
Reusing More Than Just Bikes
But that’s not all! Our co-chair, Aaron, has teamed up with Ramsjburg, a second-hand store in Middelburg, and APV to collect items that students leave behind when they finish their studies at HZ. Instead of being thrown away, these items get a second life through this partnership—helping others and reducing waste at the same time.
Got items to donate? Join us in making HZ more sustainable!
Get Involved
Do you have new ideas to share? Contact us at [greenoffice@hz.nl]. Let’s work together to make our campus and community more sustainable!
Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals
Through our waste-management activities, we are actively contributing to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
