Sustainability

In recent years, sustainability has played an increasingly important role within OWee, and our goal is to eventually organize a climate-neutral orientation week. We’ve already made significant progress, which led us to win the DIT Award—the prize for the most sustainable orientation week—last year! This year’s goal is to minimize emissions and track them using a sustainability tool, as well as to establish a baseline measurement. Additionally, we aim to raise awareness among participants regarding sustainability. In addition to the points above, we have other key priorities regarding sustainability. Through these initiatives, we aim to raise awareness among participants.

In addition, the OWee is implementing the following measures:

  • Since 2022, all events organized by OWee have used hard plastic cups that we can now reuse every year. 

  • At the start of OWee, all participants receive a bag. The contents of the bag change every year, but we always try to ensure that they consist mainly of items that the students really need and will therefore actually use. Since 2019, we have stopped giving T-shirts to participants, as these are often no longer used after OWee. In addition, the bag itself is made from sustainable materials.

  • Since 2024, BINAS has been made from 100% recycled paper. In addition, the booklets are delivered to everyone in a 100% carbon-neutral manner. 

  • Since 2023, all meals included with the OWee ticket have been 100% vegetarian. The event also uses bulk food packaging whenever possible. In addition, the OWee partners with the food bank every year to ensure that leftover food does not go to waste. 

  • Since 2024, it is no longer possible to hand out stickers at the information fair. It is also no longer permitted to distribute flyers as a matter of course. Clubs may only keep flyers on hand and give them out when interested participants ask for them.

  • The banners used during OWee are designed in a neutral style so they can be used for several years. In addition, any leftover banners that cannot be reused are recycled into fanny packs, weekend bags, and toiletries bags.