For the third year in a row, the University’s team helped the international RhineCleanUp to pick up trash from the banks of the Rhine in Bonn-Beuel. The industrious helpers came across a wild and wonderful selection, from disposable barbecues to car tires and rusty bikes—all of it waste and none of it belonging out there in the environment. Keeping the banks of the Rhine clean is important not only because of the flora and fauna that live there but also because the river is a key source of drinking water. Anyone who was interested had the opportunity to learn more about water at Sustainable September’s Water Quiz, where there was a sustainable drinks bottle to be won.
Metal is one material that lends itself particularly well to recycling but that, unfortunately, is often simply left lying around. This is why there was a big drive to gather up the type of bottle tops known as “crown caps” in September. As well as benefiting nature, recycling them also supports a social project. So how does that work? The crown caps are handed over to the organization Förderkreis Bonn e. V., which uses the proceeds from selling the scrap metal to support children and young people with cancer.
Sustainable September also had a fair few things to offer the food-conscious among us. “Grill & Chill – Sustainable Style,” an event organized by the Environmental Department of the General Students’ Committee (AStA) and the Vegactive group at the University, offered a barbecue of vegan delicacies and a relaxed atmosphere.
At the Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), meanwhile, we took action against food waste as part of the week-long nationwide “Too good to go to waste” campaign. So-called Drillinge (“triplets”), tiny specimens of the delicious organic potatoes grown at the Wiesengut organic research farm, are too small to be sold and so are usually fed to the farm’s cattle. But it’s even better if the tasty potatoes end up on our plates, of course! All members of the University were therefore cordially invited to pick up some Drillinge for free, while there were also apples to be taken home from the orchards, likewise for no charge. The team from the NEiS project (“Nachhaltige Ernährung im Studienalltag,” or “sustainable everyday eating for students”), an initiative of the Verbraucherzentrale NRW consumer association, provided the keen pickers with sustainable bags and information about food waste.
Likewise, the scythe course run by the Agroecology and Organic Farming Group (AOL) for University staff once again attracted numerous participants eager to learn how to handle the implement. Because scything is a gentler mowing method that does not need to be done as often, it will boost biodiversity on the University’s lawns. The people who completed the course will be on hand in the future to provide invaluable support looking after some of the University’s green spaces.
Cycling to work or uni in good weather was twice as fun in Sustainable September, because every kilometer traveled benefited the University of Bonn team in City Cycling 2023. You’ll have to wait until the end of the year to find out how the University did. However, we can already tell you this much: the team is right up among the leading pack!
Sustainable mobility means more than just getting on your bike, of course. But what else could it involve, exactly? The “Sustainable Mobility at the University of Bonn” competition lets students submit their own suggestions—and doesn’t close until October 31, so there’s still time for you to make yours!
Missed what was on in Sustainable September? No problem! You can expect another set of fantastic hands-on activities all about sustainability in the “Nachhaltiger November” campaign month.
