University of Amsterdam Green Office

Mission

The University of Amsterdam Green Office is a student-run organisation that turns students’ ideas for a more sustainable university into reality. The Green Office works in collaboration with students and staff. It is the central hub for ideas, projects and conversations regarding sustainability at the university. Since 2016, the Green Office consults, innovates and connects students and staff on a way to a greener university.  It is inspired by the Green Office Model.

University of Amsterdam Green Office

Achievements

» Conducted an overview of existing sustainability initiatives and courses
» Established a volunteering programme for students to work with the Green Office
» Set up the ‘Fresh Bag’, where local, mostly organic, food is sold to students and staff
» Organised ‘Green Talks’, a lecture series on sustainability
» Monitored waste separation at multiple locations and launched a waste separation campaign

University of Amsterdam Green Office - Pen recycling box

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Learn more about the Green Office Model

Team

The team consists of 4 student employees, dozens of volunteers and 2 staff contacts within the advisory board. The student employees are each responsible for a portfolio: research and education, campus, community, and communication. The student volunteers are organised in project groups that are each managed by one student employee.

University of Amsterdam Green Office - Team Photo

Founding story of the University of Amsterdam Green Office

Students developed a first proposal for the University of Amsterdam Green Office in 2012. At that time, the Executive Board rejected the proposal because it was deemed too expensive. In 2014, a group of students picked the idea up again. They worked with staff from Facility Service to develop a concept for a smaller Green Office. Subsequently, the Executive Board accepted this proposal. The university then formally established the Green Office in 2016.

A lecture series can be a great sustainability event

Background

The University of Amsterdam Green Office is part of the University of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. 30,000 students study and 4,700 staff work at the university. Upon its founding, this Green Office was approved and hosted by the Facility Services. In 2017, the Green Office had an annual budget of €20,000. For more information, you can visit their website.

University of Amsterdam Green Office - Fresh Bags