Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is one of the most recycling-paper-friendly universities in Germany. In the 2024 ‘Papieratlas’ university competition organised by the Pro Recyclingpapier Initiative (IPR), Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences came ninth. A total of 54 universities took part in the competition.
Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences consistently uses 100 per cent Blue Angel-certified paper in its administration, thereby making an important contribution to climate and resource protection. Water and energy consumption in the manufacture of paper from fresh wood fibres is significantly higher than in the production of paper from recycled paper. Compared with paper made from virgin fibre, the university’s consistent use of recycled paper resulted in savings of over 177,000 litres of water and more than 40,000 kilowatt-hours of energy last year. The amount of water saved is equivalent to the daily needs of almost 1,470 people. The energy saved could meet the annual electricity needs of eleven three-person households.
Marc Gebauer, spokesperson for the IPR, praises the university’s commitment: “Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is a pioneer in the use of Blue Angel-certified recycled paper and is thereby achieving measurable environmental benefits. By making its sustainable paper procurement transparent in the Paper Atlas, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences is also encouraging other universities to follow suit.”
“Sustainability issues are central to our university – not only in study and teaching, research and knowledge transfer, but also in the practical day-to-day running of the university. In this respect, we are delighted that the university has achieved such a high ranking,” said Prof. Dr Oliver-Locker-Grütjen, President of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences.
Since 2008, the Paper Atlas has documented paper consumption and recycled paper rates in German cities on an annual basis; since 2016, it has also included universities, and since 2018, local authority districts. Its cooperation partners are the Federal Ministry for the Environment, the Federal Environment Agency, the German Association of Cities, the German Association of Towns and Municipalities, the German County Association and the German Association of Universities and Colleges.
All the results of the Paper Atlas can be viewed here: Paper Atlas 2024
