SUSTAINABILITY TOUR
COLLABORATION BETWEEN NORDIC CAMPUS CONNECT AND GREEN OFFICE
Welcome to the Sustainability Tour! This tour will guide you through NHL Stenden with information about all the sustainable components within the campus. The SDG’s are guidelines for a more sustainable world, created and signed by the United Nations.
This Sustainability tour is created by members of the Green Office. The Green Office is the place for students, teachers, and staff to come together. The main goal is to contribute to a more sustainable world! Within the Green Office network, there are many partners involved. We provide projects, lectures, events, (network)meetings, and many more!
We work with other Universities, institutions, and companies as well. Because together we can make the biggest impact!
Interested in sustainability and want to know what the Green office can do for you? Feel free to come by! The walk-in hours are every Monday and Friday from 12:00 – 16:00 pm.
Also take a look at our Instagram: @greenoffice_nhlstenden
1. SQUARE
NHL Stenden prioritizes sustainability with innovative initiatives. Permeable paving supports natural rainwater replenishment, aiding groundwater levels. Waste management is optimized through strategic bin placement and adherence to Lansink’s Ladder principles, reducing unnecessary waste. These proactive measures demonstrate NHL Stenden’s commitment to an environmentally responsible campus.
2. NOTIZ HOTEL
The Notiz Hotel embodies comfort, innovation, and sustainability, proudly holding the Green Key award for consecutive years. Our commitment to the environment is reflected in all our operations. From 100% plastic-free soaps (Loofys Soap) to energy-efficient practices, we prioritize eco consciousness. The Green Key certification is an internationally recognized eco-label for hotels, achieved through a rigorous evaluation process by an independent third party. Our dedication to sustainability meets the highest Green Key standards.
3. CENTRAL PERK
Your Cozy Student Hangout. Created by students, for students, Central Perk is the welcoming organization at NHL Stenden. Our cozy living room-style space offers diverse activities, from pub quizzes to relaxed socializing. It’s a no-work zone where students can unwind, connect, and enjoy coffee, gaming, and creativity. With a second location in Emmen, we collaborate with IDARE and PRIDE Group for inclusive events like Queer Conversation. Student well-being is our priority, providing a space for valuable social interaction.
4. CANTEEN
At NHL Stenden, sustainability is central to our canteens. We follow Dutch Cuisine principles of Culture, Health, Nature, Quality, and Value. Our dishes prioritize 80% seasonal vegetables and 20% meat and fish for healthier and eco-friendly choices. In Wannee restaurant, we take it a step further with a Bio Transformer, converting waste into biogas for cooking and nourishing our greenery with vital biowater. Through Dutch Cuisine and the Bio Transformer, we pioneer sustainable dining and waste management. Join us in making a positive environmental impact and embracing a greener future.
5. WIKKELHOUSE
Wikkelhouse offers the Placemaking minor, empowering students to co-create sustainable environments that enhance well-being while studying. Through projects like Green Scape, they make the campus greener, providing a comfortable space to study and relax. Adding trees cools the square and supports biodiversity with bugs and bees. By flipping rocks into flower beds, students create colorful spaces that beautify the campus and support insect populations. Wikkelhouse and the Placemaking minor prioritize student well-being through sustainable placemaking.
6. X-HONOURS & IDARE
X-honors is an extracurricular program for curious, open-minded students who want to excel. With its cutting-edge 3D printer, X-Honours provides a unique opportunity for creativity using circular plastic, promoting sustainability. Visit the Green Office to see inspiring printed objects and learn more. In collaboration with IDARE, NHL Stenden strives for inclusivity. Their team comprises staff and students from various disciplines, organizing webinars and events each semester. Past events covered hair discrimination, autism, ADHD, and Afro-Caribbean culture. Join X-Honours and IDARE in exploring new horizons and embracing diversity.
7. ESPRESSO BAR
At NHL Stenden, our Espresso bar embodies fair trade and sustainability. All hot drinks served on campus are produced and traded under fair conditions. We encourage staff and students to bring their reusable mugs to minimize waste. Luckybird cups, made from biodegradable cane sugar-based cardboard, are available for those who prefer a disposable option. With a focus on fair trade and eco-friendly choices, NHL Stenden promotes a sustainable culture.
8. FOOD COURT
NHL Stenden promotes awareness and transparency for a positive impact. A digital screen showcases individual contributions, with 625 kg of plastic saved in March 2023. To encourage conscious consumption, mixer taps are set to cold water by default, empowering students and staff to add heat when needed. This simple measure prevents unnecessary water heating.
9. INSPIRATION GARDEN
Before entering the garden, visitors encounter the Funghi Farm. Here, NHL Stenden repurposes used coffee grounds to cultivate mushrooms using a Growkit from Fryslân Fungies. The panel showcases saving 10 kg of coffee grounds from burning and harvesting 4kg of mushrooms. The garden is affiliated with NHL Stenden’s Beepact initiative, promoting biodiversity and sustainable practices. Eco-friendly weed and pest control methods are employed by the university.
10. GREEN OFFICE
The Green Office is a hub for connection, support, and impactful change. It welcomes those interested in the SDGs, ongoing projects, or making a positive difference. Assistance is provided to formulate ideas and take necessary steps. The goal is to build a network among students, staff, and partners for collective SDG contributions. Recent achievements include Walk-In Hours, an Instagram and LinkedIn presence, and a network of Sustainable teachers. Through collaboration and support, the Green Office empowers individuals to work towards the SDGs.
11. CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Center for Entrepreneurship at NHL Stenden provides valuable support to students pursuing their own businesses alongside their studies. Our team of professionals includes experts in sustainable thinking, such as Matthias Otthaar and Erwin Wolthuis. Erwin is not only a management consultant and lecturer but also the founder of “Business Natuurlijk” which draws inspiration from nature to guide organizations. With guest lectures, consultancy, and mentorship, we aim to empower students in their entrepreneurial journeys while promoting sustainability.
12. BEWEGINGSCENTRUM
The campus values Quality, Attention, and Safety for the well-being of all. Professional trainers offer diverse group lessons like Pilates, Yoga, HIT, Spin, and Bootycore. They also provide personal training and health advice. Some trainers were former NHL Stenden students who collaborate with current students on projects like the Vitality Trail. This 3 km trail features QR codes for strength exercise videos. The Vitality Trail won €5,000 in November 2022 for promoting community health and vitality. These initiatives encourage physical activity, personalized training, and engagement among students and staff, fostering a culture of well-being on campus.
13. BRÛZE
Campus Connect, centered around Café Brûze, hosts events that improve campus life and promote vibrant connections. It aims to bring students, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the local municipality, and residents together, fostering crossovers and meaningful relationships for a dynamic campus community.
