Minimisation of Disposable Items

Heliopolis University | SDG 12 – 2025
 

Purpose and scope

Reduce the use of disposable products across the university by prioritising prevention and reusable alternatives. This policy applies to relevant university operations and participants.
 

Policy measures

• Assess common disposable items used in offices, events and food services.
• Prefer durable, reusable or refillable alternatives when practical and safe.
• Include waste reduction in purchasing guidance and communicate expectations to relevant staff and providers.
• Support appropriate segregation and recovery for items that cannot be avoided.
• Set measurable objectives where feasible, monitor progress, and promote staff and student awareness.

Responsibilities and review

Relevant university departments coordinate purchasing, communications and monitoring.

Prevention: Review disposable items purchased or supplied in offices, classrooms, events, catering and contracted services. Avoid unnecessary items and promote durable, reusable and refillable products where these are practical, safe and accessible.

Product selection: Evaluate alternatives on their intended use, cleaning and hygiene requirements, expected lifetime, resource consumption, end-of-life management and availability. Claims such as biodegradable or compostable should be supported and matched to available treatment facilities.

Purchasing and service delivery: Include relevant requirements in procurement specifications and communicate them to departments, event organisers, suppliers and contractors. Plan for reusable serviceware, refillable supplies and reduction of excess packaging where appropriate.

Operational arrangements: Provide suitable return, cleaning and storage procedures for reusable items and clear waste separation instructions for items that remain disposable. Health, safety, hygiene and accessibility needs should be considered when applying exceptions.

Monitoring: Establish a baseline where data are available, review purchasing quantities and waste records, and identify feasible reduction opportunities. Document actions and periodic progress without treating targets as achieved unless supported by evidence.