n0w – Best Performer Awards: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle at the University of Pisa

As part of the European Week for Waste Reduction 2026, the University of Pisa will organise an edition of its n0w – Best Performer award ceremony, promoting the three key principles of waste prevention and management: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The initiative is part of the University’s n0w (Nearly Zero Waste) project, launched by the University Commission for Sustainable Development (CoSA) in collaboration with CONAI, Contarina S.p.A. and the Municipality of Pisa. The project aims to reduce residual waste, improve separate waste collection and encourage more sustainable behaviours throughout the university community.

RECYCLE – Recognising good practices

The University will award the n0w – Best Performer title to the department that achieved the highest rate of separate waste collection during September and October 2026. This recognition aims to encourage healthy competition between university departments, highlight the positive contribution of the academic community and promote greater awareness of responsible waste sorting.

REUSE – Promoting reusable alternatives

Students attending the award ceremony will receive reusable stainless-steel cups. These cups are compatible with the University’s vending machines and can be used as an alternative to disposable cups, helping to promote the adoption of reusable products in everyday university life.

REDUCE – Preventing single-use waste

By encouraging students to bring and use their own reusable cups, the initiative aims to reduce the consumption of single-use compostable paper cups provided by the vending machines. Even though these cups are compostable, avoiding their use in the first place represents a more effective way to prevent waste generation.

Through this combined approach, the University of Pisa seeks to turn waste reduction into a shared and visible commitment, rewarding good practices while encouraging the entire university community to adopt simple, concrete and lasting changes in everyday habits.

The initiative demonstrates that sustainability is not only about sorting waste correctly, but also about preventing waste generation and choosing reusable alternatives whenever possible.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: every small action contributes to a Nearly Zero Waste University!