LOCAL WINNER
Beginner Awards: Social impact
SustainHUB
Solution details
This campus recycling solution addresses the issue of commonly discarded items like coffee cups, bags, and food containers that aren’t covered by Romania’s national deposit system. Special recycling stations are placed across university campuses, accessible only to students who authenticate via a QR code linked to their student credentials. To make recycling even easier, an extension within the student app helps users locate nearby stations and tracks their contributions in real-time. Each item recycled earns students points, which they can use not only to receive rewards every three months but also to vote for sustainability projects they’d like implemented on campus, such as green spaces or study lounges. The university, along with corporate partners, commits to realizing the top-voted projects each quarter, offering a participatory budgeting model that empowers students to shape their environment. This system doesn’t just increase recycling rates; it creates an engaging, reward-driven program that fosters a stronger community and supports a cleaner, greener university environment.
Tweet / Slogan
Boosting recycling on campus with a student-only system! 🎓 ♻️ QR code-activated stations for items like coffee cups & bags, points for prizes, & voting on campus projects. Students help build a greener campus, backed by uni & partner support. #SustainableCampus
EcoEngage
Context
In Romania, a legally regulated system requires stores to charge a deposit for every bottle (plastic or glass) sold. Customers receive this deposit back when they return the bottle to designated recycling stations located within the stores. However, not all types of packaging fall under this regulation. Items like coffee cups, bags (both paper and plastic), pizza boxes, and other similar packaging are very often not included . Although these items are recyclable and there are dedicated collection points, they are often mixed with household waste and are rarely separated for recycling. As a result, most of this packaging ends up as general waste rather than being recycled.
Who Benefits?
Dedicated Recycling Stations with Student Authentication: Special recycling stations are set up across the campus, exclusively for items not covered by the national bottle deposit system. Students authenticate their identity at these stations using a QR code linked to their student credentials, ensuring only authorized users access the system.
Integration with University App: An extension within the existing student app allows users to locate the nearest recycling stations based on their location. This feature makes recycling points highly accessible, while also tracking individual recycling contributions in real-time.
Point System for Recycling Incentives: Each item recycled at these stations is tracked, with students earning points for each item they properly dispose of. The system ranks the top recyclers, and every three months, the top 10-25 students receive rewards—like merchandise or vouchers—sponsored by university partners who support this sustainability initiative.
Participatory Budgeting through Points: Beyond rewards, students can use their points to vote for sustainability projects they’d like to see implemented on campus (such as green spaces, study lounges, or community gardens). Every quarter, the university and its partners commit to bringing the top-voted projects to life, based on accumulated points from students.
Impact
This solution focuses on increasing recycling of commonly discarded packaging (like coffee cups, bags, and food containers) on university campuses, where both the student population and waste volume are significant. Here’s how it works:
Innovativeness
This solution not only boosts recycling rates but also engages students in meaningful campus improvements, giving them direct influence over how their collective efforts contribute to a better, more sustainable university environment.