UDK ry's Environmental Plan

Approved at the UDK Association's Spring Meeting on March 30, 2021

This plan outlines the environmental principles of the UDK Association and how these principles are implemented in practice. UDK considers environmental perspectives in all its activities and is committed to making choices that reduce environmental impact and support sustainable development.

Environmental official

Although environmental protection is the responsibility of the entire association, UDK has appointed an environmental officer on the board or among its officers. The role of the environmental officer is to monitor the implementation of the environmental plan and to take environmental impact into account in the association's activities. The environmental officer aims to develop the association's practices in a more environmentally friendly manner.

The environmental officer participates in environmental activities at Tampere University and shares relevant information with the board and the association. The UDK environmental officer also actively contributes to building an environmentally friendly faculty.

Meetings 

Meeting agendas are not printed on paper but are distributed electronically. If printing is necessary, the number of copies is minimized, and double-sided printing is used. For meeting refreshments, UDK uses Fair Trade coffee and tea. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mugs to minimize the use of disposable dishes.

Purchases 

Ecological and locally produced services and products are preferred in purchases. When purchasing products, their future use is considered to ensure that all items bought are necessary. For the association’s club room, efforts are made to find suitable furniture, equipment, or other items secondhand. UDK has acquired reusable bags for shopping and reusable dishes for the association's club room. Other purchases include gifts for other associations, where intangible or environmentally friendly gifts are favored.

Communications 

UDK aims to highlight environmental perspectives in its communications. The association’s magazine, Asiasana, is published four times a year and is printed at a certified eco-friendly printing house. UDK also has a flea market and eco-group called Ekoistit. The group's goal is to inform members about environmental events and promote circular economy practices within the student association.

Energy Saving 

In the UDK club room, energy is saved by turning off lights and electrical devices when the space is not in use. The last person to leave the space ensures that all devices and lights are turned off, with a reminder posted by the door.

When purchasing new devices, their energy consumption is taken into consideration.

Waste Sorting 

Efforts are made to avoid waste generation, and any waste produced is sorted, recycled, and/or reused whenever possible. Waste in the club room is recycled according to UDK’s guidelines, with users guided by signs and labeled waste bins. The space has recycling bins for bio-waste, cardboard, paper, and mixed waste. Bottles and cans are also recycled. In other locations, the respective recycling guidelines are followed. Events are equipped with enough trash bags to make it easy for participants to dispose of waste in the correct bins.

Events 

At events, waste sorting is done as described above. Reusable dishes are used whenever possible. For example, at events, efforts are made to use the venue’s own dishes, and participants are encouraged to bring their own. Decorations used at parties are recycled, modified, or borrowed from other organizations whenever possible.

Ruoka 

At events, efforts are made to offer vegetarian or plant-based meals, and seasonal ingredients are used when possible. Fair Trade coffee and tea are served at all UDK-hosted events. Food waste is minimized through careful planning to accurately estimate consumption. Any leftover food is shared with participants at the end of the event whenever possible.

Transportation 

When traveling, UDK encourages walking, cycling, carpooling, and the use of public transportation. UDK helps facilitate carpooling by connecting drivers and passengers.

Monitoring and Updating the Environmental Plan 

The environmental officer reviews the plan annually, and any necessary changes are approved at the association’s meeting. The environmental officer monitors the implementation of the plan and evaluates whether the association's activities meet the set objectives. At the end of the board term, the environmental officer ensures that the new environmental officer is properly trained in UDK’s environmental practices, ensuring the continuity of environmental efforts.