Waste sorting at the University of Tartu

In June, a project was completed to provide additional waste sorting facilities in the common areas, kitchen and rest areas of the university’s 26 academic and research buildings. 

The university buildings in Tartu, Viljandi and Narva now have different sorting bins, which were designed to reflect both the frequency of use and the visual layout of a particular space. Waste is collected separately: municipal waste, mixed packaging, paper and bio-waste.  

According to Imre Rooma, Head of Facility Management Service, separate collection of waste in the lobbies, hallways and rest areas of the academic and research buildings was also possible in the past, but on a smaller scale. "The project added a lot of sorting bins in spaces where there is enough room and where it was economically feasible," Rooma explained. Pärnu College already had four-compartment bins with sorting facilities. 

The bins are labelled with stickers indicating the type of waste. Larger sorting bins have the waste sorting guide in both Estonian and English. 

In order for the University of Tartu to contribute to a cleaner environment, it is important that everyone puts their waste in the right bin.