Canteen and takeaway system
The University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer is proud to have the Studentenwerk Oldenburg as a partner which is very committed to sustainability in its canteen and cafeteria operations. In the 1980s, the Studentenwerk Oldenburg was one of the first student unions to start using ecological and sustainable methods in its catering facilities as principles of business management, and has already received several rewards as a pioneer in sustainable catering for its culinary offerings. The canteen and cafeteria of the Studentenwerk Oldenburg are therefore GMO-free, fruit and vegetables come from organic production and, as far as possible, from the region. Meat comes from ethical livestock rearing, and fish comes from sustainable fisheries. You can find more detailed information here.
The canteen therefore offers a vast amount of organic food. And, of course, the Studentenwerk is also our most important partner in our commitment as a Fairtrade university with a wide range of fair products and, of course, fair coffee.
Reusable to-go coffee cups and takeaway tableware
Since their introduction in 2018, reusable to-go cups from the brand Recup have been available in the cafeteria at the University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer. In 2021, the Studierendenwerk Oldenburg then added deposit bowls for canteen meals. Thanks to this changeover, the amount of waste generated by to-go tableware can be significantly reduced!
In order to spread the effect beyond the university to the entire region, the university actively participated in a campaign across East Frisia to introduce to-go East Frisia cups against a deposit, and educate people about the avoidable environmental impact of disposable cups that are only used for a few minutes.
On average, every German citizen uses 80 disposable coffee cups each year. The popular disposable cups cannot be recycled, and far too often end up as marine litter, as any beach walker can tell you, contributing to microplastic pollution of the world's oceans and the Wadden Sea National Park in Lower Saxony.
In cooperation with the climate protection management of the cities of Emden, Leer and Wittmund, the cities of Aurich and Norden and the Baum coffee roasting company, the University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer is actively working to establish and disseminate a coffee cup deposit system for East Frisia and the islands. The cups can be handed in at all locations participating in the ReCup system. You can find a map here.
Take part and help us get rid of disposables!
