Sustainability

The University of Sannio promotes a model of sustainable development based on environmental responsibility, innovation, and the active involvement of the university community. Through concrete actions, awareness-raising initiatives, and research projects, the University integrates the principles of sustainability into everyday campus life and its institutional activities.

A shared commitment

Sustainability is an integral part of the University of Sannio’s strategy. The University is a member of the Italian Network of Universities for Sustainable Development (RUS) and has appointed a Delegate for Sustainability to promote coordinated activities in resource management, waste reduction, and the circular economy.

The aim is to build a culture of sustainability that involves students, academic staff, and technical and administrative personnel, enabling every member of the university community to play an active role in driving change.

Initiatives

In recent years, the University of Sannio has launched numerous actions to reduce the environmental impact of its activities and encourage sustainable behaviour. The main initiatives include:

• installing drinking-water dispensers at several University sites to reduce the consumption of plastic bottles;
• distributing reusable water bottles through a partnership with GESESA;
• using only reusable tableware in the university canteen, making it completely plastic-free;
• producing and distributing a guide to separate waste collection for the university community;
• distributing sustainable merchandise, such as reusable water bottles and insulated bags.

Innovation serving the environment

Sustainability also encompasses research and technology transfer. In collaboration with Asia Benevento, the University of Sannio has developed an innovative hardware-and-software system for the automatic identification of waste using RFID technology. The project, protected by a patent granted by the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, represents a major innovation in urban waste management.

The technology has already been tested as part of the TARIP project, which focuses on pay-as-you-throw waste charging, and will gradually be extended across the entire municipal area thanks to funding from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

An evolving process

The University of Sannio continues to develop new measures to strengthen its environmental policies. Current initiatives include:

• enhancing institutional communication on sustainability issues;
• producing signs and infographics dedicated to separate waste collection;
• developing a Digital Sustainability Charter;
• producing digital information and training content;
• periodically monitoring the quality of separate waste collection;
• providing training for staff involved in waste management.

The University is also exploring new projects, including gamification systems to encourage student participation and innovative composting solutions for the university canteen.

Sustainability is a commitment shared by the entire community

Everyday choices can help make the University more sustainable. Reducing waste, sorting waste correctly, limiting the use of single-use plastics, and using resources responsibly all contribute directly to building a campus that is more attentive to the environment and to future generations.

Sustainability in figures

The University of Sannio’s commitment is also reflected in measurable results, monitored through specific environmental indicators. In recent years, the University has recorded an increase in green areas, a reduction in energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, and improved energy efficiency in its buildings.

The University of Sannio is also continuing to invest in renewable energy generation through the installation of photovoltaic systems and in the development of nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEBs), as part of its ongoing commitment to increasingly sustainable infrastructure management.