VU takes action to combat waste

Victoria University (VU) has answered the call for a cleaner planet. We are proud to mark 2022 World Clean Up Day on 17 September 2022.

We are committed to combating waste and working for a sustainable future for all; as part of our commitment to net-zero and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We are making a real difference on our campuses and in our communities. Our education and research initiatives apply across sectors and boundaries, to address the most pressing challenges of our time.

Averting waste from landfill, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling, protecting ecosystems, cleaning waterways, decontaminating soil and air, and embedding Indigenous standpoints to Protect Country – are examples of many world-first, novel and community led outcomes at VU.

Our projects bring together students, staff and industry to enrich communities.

Campus and community

• Recycling. We are committed to taking care of our own backyard. We recycle bins for paper, cardboard, bottles, cans, plastic, toner cartridges, mobile phones and scrap metal. We reuse furniture and electronic equipment in our offices and teaching areas.
• Saying no to plastic. Our aim is to stop use of single-use plastics and takeaway cups, and to recycle in all of campuses.
• Buy, swap, sell. Our ‘Buy, Swap & Sell at VU’ initiative encourages everyone on campus to reduce, reuse and recycle.
• Cleaning up the community. Our plastics solutions program runs clean up events and invests in innovative recycling and school awareness programs.
• Awareness and education. We are working to educate the community on recycling the 1 billion paper coffee cups that are thrown away annually in Australia.

Research with impact

• Creating cleaner water. We are exploring ways to decontaminate soil and water to remove man-made chemicals from drinking water to protect our natural systems.
• Water health analysis. Our water health analysis is finding ways to limit the formation of full blue green algae (BGA) and other cyanobacteria that are harmful to humans in our water systems as part of our water management, conservation and treatment focus.
• New uses for recycled waste. Our research teams are turning recycled waste into a valuable resource, to keep tonnes of plastic, glass and tyres out of landfills.
• Recycled building materials. We are developing new solutions for the application of recycled materials in building and construction products; discovering new solutions for the application of recycled materials in building and construction products and advancing the circular economy through increased demand for waste/recycled materials.
• Turning food waste into energy. We are exploring converting household food waste into energy from Melbourne metropolitan homes, towards averting landfill, greenhouse gas emissions and polluting groundwater as well as reducing gas bills for individuals

Creating future sustainability leaders

• Planetary health education. Our Planetary Health graduates learn about climate change and disaster response, while foregrounding First Nations knowledge and local community needs to find innovative solutions for healthier, fairer and more sustainable environments.

In all that we do – our research, our teaching, on our campuses and in our communities; we are committed to examining challenges in our environments. 

Learn more about our commitment to the SDGs.