Sustainability

Each year, the Kick-In Committee takes important steps to make the introduction week of University of Twente more sustainable. For large events like the Kick-In, there are many steps, big and small, that everyone can take to make a difference.

How we Make the Kick-In More Sustainable

We limit the use of disposable packaging for our dining occasions by handing out reusable plates and cutlery and minimizing leftover food at the end of the activity.
At the start of the Kick-In, we give participants a water bottle. Participants can use this water bottle to drink at all the dining areas and elsewhere.
Water points can be found all over campus and during the Kick-In we will place even more, so participants can always fill their water bottle instead of buying disposable ones.
During the Kick-In, we work with rPET cups and a recycling system with recycle tokens. Participants will hand in their used cup so that we can recycle them! This way we guarantee a (dance) floor free of plastic cups, and we contribute to a world without disposable plastic.
We try to make our promotional material reusable as much as possible, to prevent it from being thrown away after the Kick-In. This saves costs and reduces waste.
The Kick-In runs almost entirely on electricity from the grid instead of electricity supplied by diesel generators. These generators will only be used in case of unforeseen circumstances. In addition, we use electrically powered vehicles as much as possible.

Explanation of the Cup Recycle System

During this Kick-in, we use a recycle system for our plastic cups. Below, we provide a brief overview of how this system works during the Kick-In.

When do I receive a recycle token?
As a participant, you will receive a recycle token on the first day of the Kick-In during the registration. Crew members behind the registration desk will hand them out together with the programme booklet.

How does handing in a recycle token at the bar work?
You need to hand in your recycle token the first time you go to the bar to get a drink. You will have to hand it in next to paying for your drink by card.

How does handing in a cup at the bar work?
Once you hand in your recycle token, you will receive a plastic cup with your drink. This plastic cup serves as your new recycle token. When you emptied your drink and want to get a new one, you will have to hand in your empty cup. After the payment for your new consumption, you will get your drink in a new cup, which serves as your new recycle token. This cycle continues until the end of the activity or party.

What happens if I lose my recycle token or cup?
If you lose your recycle token or plastic cup, you will have to pay an additional plastic fee the next time you go to the bar to buy a drink. The price for replacing your recycle token or plastic cup is €0,50. This plastic cup now serves as your new recycle token when you want to get drinks. However, if you lose it again, you will have to pay this fee again.

What do you have to do at the end of the party/activity or when you want to go home?
At the end of the party, you might still have your plastic cup. Because the Kick-In lasts multiple days, you will need a recycle token the next day as well. To get your recycle token back, you need to go to the bar to exchange your empty cup for a recycle token. As soon as you hand in your cup at the end of the party or activity, the Bar Crew will give you a new recycle token. You can also tell the Bar Crew you want to go home before the end of the party or activity to get a recycle token for your empty cup.

More Information

In addition to everything we already do, we like to take the opportunity to improve. That's why we'd like to hear your feedback! Towards the end of the Kick-In, you might come across an online questionnaire in which you can give your feedback on what you think could be improved on next year with a view to a more environmentally friendly Kick-In.

Want to know more about what the Kick-In does in the field of sustainability? Please contact us via info@kick-in.nl!