Towards a zero-waste UU: streamlining Hazardous Waste
Summary
Utrecht University has set the goal of becoming a zero-waste institution in line with national circular economy ambitions. However, hazardous waste remains a significant challenge due to its environmental impact and complex treatment requirements. The aim of the research was to improve hazardous waste management at Utrecht University and reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions. A material flow analysis was conducted for the year 2023, mapping hazardous waste quantities across faculties and categorizing treatment methods. According to the MFA, Utrecht University generated 126,979 kg of hazardous waste. Over 97% of this waste was incinerated. The Faculty of Science and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine were identified as the main contributors, comprising nearly 90% of the total generated hazardous waste. Moreover, a screening level GHG assessment was performed, estimating total emissions of 177,535 kg CO2. This reveals that hazardous waste alone accounted for approximately 41.5% of the university’s known waste related emissions, despite representing a relatively small share of the total waste volume. Stakeholder interviews and desk research further supported the development of mitigation strategies, presented in two sets of recommendations. These include short-term actions such as low-threshold changes and awareness campaigns. Furthermore, long-term actions focus on green chemistry integration, on-site treatment, and circular procurement. The research demonstrates urgent need for upstream waste reduction and improved downstream transparency, offering Utrecht University a practical foundation for aligning hazardous waste practices with its sustainability and climate goals. While the study provides a detailed snapshot of hazardous waste flows and impacts, limited data availability on downstream treatment and emissions constrained the depth of the analysis. Future research should focus on improved waste and emissions monitoring and repeated material flow analyses. In addition, closer collaboration with waste contractors and processors is recommended.