Past Projects
Rooftop Greening (2019-ongoing)
This project was one of the first after the founding of the Sustainability Working Group. With the support of the Sustainability Office and the University's Facilities Department, they were able to green their pilot roof at Mattenstrasse 28 and have since founded an association.
Ecosia (2019-2022)
In September 2019, Anja Zimmer launched the “Uni Basel on Ecosia” campaign for the University of Basel. Ecosia is an alternative search engine that uses search queries to fund tree-planting projects. Like any other search engine, it generates revenue through clicks on ads or specific websites. Ecosia invests the majority of this revenue in tree-planting projects and publishes its financial reports every month. On average, 45 search queries enable the planting of one tree.
Thanks to the link created specifically for the University of Basel, over 1,000 trees have already been planted (as of January 2022). This is thanks to the many individuals who have installed Ecosia on their computers. The Faculty of Psychology, has launched a pilot project. As part of this, the search engine was installed on the faculty’s computers as a first step to determine whether Ecosia would be a good alternative for the university.
Sustainability Map and App (2019-2022)
From clothes shops to grocery shops, the sustainability map should make it possible to take the first steps towards a more sustainable life or help people who already pay attention to sustainability to find and support local businesses more easily. The development of an app should contribute to greater user-friendliness and possibly include the integration of a calendar of sustainability events. The successfully developed Sustainability Map is now to become an app. However, the development of the app was not carried out. Reduction of disposable coffee cups (2020-2024)
Back in 2013, the Sustainability Office ran a pilot project called ‘Refiller-Friendly University of Basel’, in which an attempt was made over a two-month period to make the university's cafeterias more sustainable by providing reusable cups. The project was rolled out again by students from the Sustainability working group in collaboration with the Catering Commission and SV Services.
The project aimed to reduce the use of non-recyclable coffee cups at the University of Basel. This also helps to reduce the amount of waste in the university's canteens and cafeterias.
The project started in November 2020 at the University Main Library and Kollegienhaus locations. Initially, customers were sensitised to the issue through posters and information events. For this purpose the team had created a video showing the consumption of disposable coffee cups at the university.
In 2022 a new reusable system for to-go cups was put in place at the University of Basel. Coffee and other drinks could be taken away in kooky cups for a deposit. They could easily be returned at the numerous return boxes, which are not only located on campus, but also at other locations in the city, such as at Basel SBB railway station. The deposit was then credited via an app. This made it even easier to avoid disposable cups. With this implementation at the University of Basel, the project of the working group was successfully finished.
Sadly the company kooky has withdrawn from the Basel area in 2024, resulting in the project being halted.
Past Events and Campaigns
Event Series, May-December 2021
Building on the success of the Sustainability Weeks in March, the working group wanted to help meet this demand during the rest of the year as well. For this reason, it organized four events and invited experts to speak to a mixed audience of university members and members of civil society. Topics included evidence-based development cooperation to effectively combat global poverty, systemic global injustice, the Climate Justice Initiative, and effective altruism.
Social Media Campaign, March-December 2021
The goal of this project was to educate the university community and our social media followers about sustainability. Each week, an interesting fact was posted on Instagram and Facebook, followed a few days later by the solution to the problem presented. The topics ranged from fashion, food, and travel to energy and social sustainability. The group aimed to foster a deeper understanding of these issues while also providing practical tips for living a more sustainable life. Through collaborations with local businesses and organizations, the group also offered gift cards to people who engaged with the posts and critically examined the content. This helped raise awareness of sustainability while also supporting local, sustainable restaurants, shops, and foundations.
Movie Night and Meditation, 22.09.2021
To shed light on the problems facing the fast fashion industry, the student group screened the film “The True Cost” during Start Smart Week. Elisabeth Schenk, an expert from Public Eye, as well as the regional chapter of the same organization, were also invited to lead an interactive discussion following the screening.
Clothing Swap and Bike Repair, 23.09.2021
To raise awareness about the throwaway culture, we organized a clothing swap (with Walk-in Closet) and a bike repair event (with Cedi's VeloWerkstatt).