Green lifestyle | University of Iceland

Green lifestyle

University of Iceland (UI) is a community of staff and students and one of the largest workplaces in Iceland. UI is in a good position to have a positive impact on society. The environmental effects of operating a large institution like UI are considerable. UI aims to contribute to minimizing the negative impacts of its operations, and sustainability and diversity is one of four main priorities of UI's main strategy, UI26.

Below are some suggestions on how you can promote a green lifestyle.

Transportation

UI is very well located in central Reykjavík. We encourage everyone at UI to use sustainable transportation mode for their journeys to and from UI's campus
According to travel survey, about half of staff and students use private cars for commuting to and from UI's campus
The individual can reduce their own carbon footprint by choosing sustainable transportation. Simply by choosing other commuting alternatives than the car twice a week, you can reduce your own emission due to transportation by 40%!

Public transportation

Strætó, the local public transportation system, stops by most of UI's buildings. Familiarize yourself with Strætó's route system and timetables
UI students can purchase a student pass at Ugla, which is valid in the capital region

Bicycling

Bicycling has numerous benefits, both for you and the environment. Not only is it more environmentally friendly to bicycle than driving a car, but you can save money and often time by avoiding traffic congestions.
Bicycle racks are available outside every UI's buildings
By Lögberg and VR-II is a bicycle shelter, and a new shelter will open at Læknagarður in fall of '23
At Háskólatorg, VR-II and Stakkahlíð, a maintenance stand is available if your bike needs minor repairs

Walking

About one third of all trips by Reykjavík residents are shorter than 1 km, survey indicates, and that distance can easily be covered by walking for about 15 minutes
Walking and running paths can be found near UI's campus

E-scooters

E-scooters are becoming a popular transportation mode for shorter distances. Hopp and Zolo are two companies that rent out e-scooters throughout the greater capital region
At Háskólatorg, Askja, Háskólabíó, VR-II and Læknagarður, you can find e-scooters drop-off zones

Carpooling/Car sharing

Hopp offers a shorter electrical car rent in Reykjavík. By Lögberg and Tæknigarður, there are designated parking spots for Hopp e-cars
At Ugla, you can request a carpooling for trips to and from UI's campus under "Samnýting ferða/Carpooling

Recycling

In all UI's buildings, you can find recycling for
- Paper and cardboards
- Plastics
- Organic waste
- Bottles and cans
- Residual waste
The sorting system at UI is the same as the new waste sorting system introduced in the spring of 2023 in the capital region and at Suðurnes
Facilities supervisors can assist you when disposing other waste categories, such as hazardous waste like batteries and light bulbs
Sorpa offers a collection at neighborhood container stations that are located throughout the capital region. You can, for example, find one near Stúdentagarðar in Eggertsgata. Familiarize yourself with the location of your nearest neighborhood container station

Cafeteria/Canteen

The vegan selection at Háma is very good. Every day, two hot meals are available at Háma, and one is always vegan. The soup of the day is also always vegan. Háma's store also offers a nice variety of vegan salads and sandwiches
Háma is committed to minimizing all single-use items, by providing reusable tableware. Please remember to return all tableware back to Háma
At Háma, you can purchase a reusable meal box for the hot meals at a discount
It is cheaper to buy coffee at Háma if you bring your own drinking container. Additionally, it is only allowed to drink coffee in classrooms in a reusable container!

Circular economy

You can advertise and/or request household items and furniture for your home at Ugla under "Fyrir heimilið/For the home"
On Facebook, there is a dedicated group for Student Housing residents to sell or give away items for other residents at "Sölusíða fyrir íbúa Stúdentagarða (For sale at Student Houseing)"

Education and social life

UI offers a variety of courses related to sustainability in one way or another
Within University of Iceland Student Council (SHÍ), there is Transportation and Environmental Affairs Committee. As an initiative of the committee, UI is an Eco-School (Grænfánaskóli). Students can apply to join in on the Eco-School committee
On Facebook, there is a special page dedicated for sustainability and environmental matters at UI, there you can find environmentally related news and events within UI
On UI's webpage, there is a special site for sustainability and environment where you can find various information regarding UI's operations
Gaia, the student association for masters students in Environment and natural resources, hold Green Days within UI every year. All events are in English and open to all!