Daily hacks for sustainable living

• Turn off standby devices:
  • Switch off electronic devices completely when not in use, instead of leaving them in standby mode. Standby consumption can accumulate over the long term.
     
• Choose energy-efficient devices:
  • When purchasing new electrical appliances, pay attention to the energy label and prefer energy-efficient models.
  • The use of virtualized desktops is particularly energy-saving.
     
• Heat and cool efficiently:
  • Keep windows and doors closed when the heating is on.
  • Adjust the room temperature to an energy-efficient level.
  • Ventilate only for a few minutes.
     
• Boil the right amount of water:
  • Boil only the amount of water in the kettle that you need for your drink.

• Use reusable products:
  • Use reusable water bottles, coffee cups, shopping bags, and other reusable items to reduce single-use packaging.
     
• Shop consciously:
  • Purchase products with minimal packaging and prefer bulk items. Avoid individual packaging and look for recyclable materials.
     
• Proper waste separation:
  • Separate your waste. This ensures that recyclable materials do not end up in the trash.
  • In the office: Paper waste goes in the gray bin, general waste in the black insert. Post-Its can be disposed of in the paper waste.
  • Dispose of organic waste preferably in the kitchenette.
  • Empty pens can be disposed of in edding's pen recycling boxes.

• Recycle electronics:
  • Dispose of electronic devices such as phones, computers, and batteries at specialized recycling facilities to properly dispose of hazardous materials and recover valuable resources.
     
• Upcycling and repair:
  • Before discarding something, consider if it can be repaired or upcycled. Upcycling gives old items a new function, and repairs can extend the lifespan of products.

• Cycling or walking:
  • Use a bicycle or walk for short distances. This is not only environmentally friendly but also good for your health. You can, for example, use a job bike.

• Use public transportation:
  • Prioritize public transportation such as buses, trains, and trams. They are more efficient and reduce individual carbon footprints.
     
• Carpooling:
  • Share rides with others, especially if you have the same route. This reduces the number of vehicles on the road and saves fuel. Soon, there will be a platform for this.
     
• Electric or hybrid vehicles:
  • If owning a vehicle is necessary, consider buying an electric or hybrid car. These vehicles have lower CO2 emissions compared to traditional gasoline or diesel cars. Charging facilities are even available on campus.

• Carsharing and rental bikes:
  • ​​​​​​​Utilize car-sharing services or rental bikes for occasional trips instead of owning a car. This is often more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Passau also has a Carsharing service available.

• Use the dishwasher efficiently:
  • Wait until your dishwasher is fully loaded before turning it on. This maximizes efficiency and reduces water consumption per load.
     
• Conscious water management:
  • Make sure that water is not left running unnecessarily when it is not needed.

• Reduce meat consumption:
  • Cut down on your meat consumption, especially red meat and processed meat products. They have a big impact on the environment.
  • Plant-based alternatives can help reduce your ecological footprint.
  • The Mensa offers a daily vegan and vegetarian option, and the cafeterias provide numerous snacks.
     
• Regional and seasonal foods:
  • Favor food from the region and pay attention to seasonal products. This supports local farmers, reduces transportation distances, and minimizes CO2 emissions.
     
• Avoid food waste:
  • Plan your meals carefully to avoid food waste.
  • Leftovers can be repurposed or frozen.
  • Ensure to compost food scraps when they can no longer be used.
  • Soon, there will be a Fairteiler in the NK copy room. Utilize it to reduce food waste.

• Pay attention to labels and certifications:
  • Rely on labels and certifications indicating sustainable practices, such as Fair Trade, organic, or the EU Ecolabel. The Environmental Protection Agency's label guide navigates through the jungle.
     
• Buy locally:
  • Support local businesses and farmers by purchasing products grown or made in your region. This reduces transportation distances.
     
• Quality over quantity:
  • Invest in durable, high-quality products. This not only reduces the need for replacement purchases but also minimizes waste.
     
• Avoid overconsumption:
  • Ask yourself before making a purchase if you really need the product. Avoid overconsumption and impulse buying.
     
• Sharing and swapping:
  • Share items with others or participate in exchange events. This promotes the circular economy and reduces the need for new purchases.
  • For example, you can take books and office supplies for free from the NK copy room (NK226).
  • Many student groups organize regular clothing swap parties.

Get involved with one of the many sustainability-related student groups at the University and contribute your ideas on campus!

At the University, there are many ways to learn more about sustainability and climate protection:

• ZKK-seminars on sustainability
• Lectures and seminars on sustainability
• Lecture series in winter
• Sustainability Weeks

Outside of the University, there are also many resources on the topic. Search online for the subjects, and you will find plenty of information!

• Choose energy-efficient devices:
  • Invest in energy-efficient devices and technologies.
  • Make sure your electronics are certified with Energy Star or similar labels.
  • At the University, we consider this when making purchases.
     
• Research when buying new:
  • Pay attention to eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives when acquiring new devices.
  • Consider aspects such as materials, manufacturing processes, and lifespan.
     
• Repair and recycle:
  • Opt for devices that can be easily repaired.
  • When devices can no longer be used, recycle them properly to avoid electronic waste.
  • The University operates a used goods market for professional use.
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• Behave consciously:
  • Turn off devices when not in use and use energy-saving modes.
  • Pay attention to the energy consumption of apps and programs.
  • Use digital storage but clear it regularly.
  • Reduce paper consumption by favoring digital documents.
• Limit your data volume
  • Reduce the amount of unnecessary data. Delete spam, old files, and unnecessary apps to save storage space.
  • Use cloud storage efficiently and delete unnecessary files, as they consume electricity during storage. The same applies to emails.