How did we do the research?  

On April 23, 24 and 25, 2025, waste was collected at various UvA and AUAS locations. A total of 232 bags of waste were collected and analyzed. At each location, waste was collected within three environments: employee environment, student environment and restaurant environment. The UvA-locations involved were:  

• Science Park 904
• Lab42
• PC Hoofthuis
• Oudemanhuispoort
• REC BCD
• REC H

What did we learn? 

• The collection of GFT and paper waste has improved significantly. The purity rate of GFT increased from 81% to 90%, while paper improved from 78% to 93%. This means cleaner waste streams and better recycling outcomes. 
• Science Park 904 and Oudemanhuispoort performed better across all waste streams compared to last year. Great results! 
• The container for Plastic and Drinking Packs (PD) remains the most challenging, as it is still the place where the most incorrect waste ends up. 

Which types of waste deserve more attention?

Good progress has already been made in waste separation, but there’s still room for improvement. Here are some areas we can address together: 

• 🍽 Leftover food on disposable tableware? The food belongs in the GFT bin, while the tableware goes in the residual waste bin.  
• 🧻 Napkins belong in the residual waste bin, even if they look like paper or compostable material. 
• 🥤 Disposable cups, plates, cutlery, straws and stirrers (without food scraps). These always go in the residual waste bin. 
• 🚮 Common mistakes at the PD bins. Watch out for these products: 
  > Sugar packets belong in the residual waste bin. 
  > Tea containers (the paper wrapped around tea bags) go in the paper bin. 
  > Cans may go in the residual waste bin. They are later removed with a magnet and recycled. 
  > Cardboard belongs in the paper bin, except when the cardboard is greasy, like a pizza box — then it belongs with the residual waste.

Top 5 waste sorting mistakes 

These products are most often thrown away incorrectly, so it's good to double-check! 

• Plastic wrappers (e.g., bar wrapper, sandwich wrapper, candy wrappers, cheese/meat wrapper, etc.)  
  → go in the PD bin 
• Dry paper (e.g., printing paper, notes, post its, dry tea bag packaging)  
  → goes in the paper bin 
• Napkins  
  → go in the residual waste bin 
• Cans (e.g. soda cans)  
  → go in the residual waste bin 
•  Organic waste (e.g., banana peels, apple cores, bread scraps)  
  → goes in the organic waste bin 
   

Together we make a difference  

We are on the right track and with your help we can turn waste into a valuable resource. So always double-check where you throw something away, it really makes a difference!