We wanted to organize a Sustainability Research Day called "Little Researchers for Our World – Discover, Experience, Understand" for primary school children. Our aim was to motivate kids to ask questions, explore their environment with keen eyes, and gain hands-on experiences. This was planned to be achieved through various stations offered by dedicated student groups, scientists, and active individuals from Tübingen. From interactive experiments to upcycling craft ideas and a quiz – the ideas were meant to be as diverse, colorful, and lively as the participants!

In 2018, the Center for Sustainable Development submitted an application for the environmental award of the city utilities in cooperation with the environmental coordinator and waste officer of the university.

Our application addressed the high amount of residual waste at the university, caused in part by coffee-to-go and fast food packaging. Despite the Student Services' good idea to ban to-go cups in the Brechtbau cafeteria the problem was only shifted and not solved: to-go cups were brought from other cafeterias or porcelain cups were taken from cafeterias and not returned, leading to a decrease in stock and constant repurchasing. This resulted in dishware acquisitions amounting to €11,800 at the entire university last year.

At the beginning of the next semester, we planned to organize an awareness day to sensitize students and staff to the issue. It would include a poster exhibition and short talks by Student Services staff, as well as initiatives for dishware return, interactive games, and free coffee in self-brought reusable cups. Additionally, we aimed to provide a keep cup to all students and employees in the Brechtbau, if desired.

As in 2018, the Competence Center for Sustainable Development again submitted an application for the municipal utility's environmental award - again in cooperation with the environmental coordinator and the university's waste management officer.

With the project "The Pen Donors," we aimed to facilitate pen recycling. Since 2013, the university has been collecting empty and used pens, such as ballpoint pens, highlighters, cartridges, or felt-tip pens, and sending them to terracycle. There, the old pens are shredded, ink and liquids are removed, and the plastic is melted to produce pellets for manufacturing new plastic products. We wanted to install collection bins throughout the city to bring recycling closer to the people and offer all Tübingen residents the opportunity for pen recycling.

The Competence Center for Sustainable Development at the University of Tübingen (KNE) and the action alliance "Müllarmes Tübingen" (known, among other things, for introducing Keep-Cups and Recups as part of the "Besser Bechern" campaign) called for participation in a photo contest on littering in and around Tübingen. The idea was awarded a jury prize.

The issue at hand: The so-called "littering," which refers to the pollution of public spaces and areas with waste casually discarded or left behind, is also a significant problem in Tübingen. Whether it's cigarette butts, to-go cups, fast food packaging, or masks, public spaces that should serve our relaxation and well-being are being contaminated due to carelessness and convenience, no longer inviting us to linger. Both the city and the university must use significant resources and funding from taxes to remove these residues. Otherwise, our environment would soon resemble a landfill.

As part of the competition, photos were sought to capture littering in and around Tübingen. The issue and its consequences were meant to be brought to the forefront, encouraging reflection on the matter.