AlmaU contribution

AlmaU promotes responsible resource use through waste separation, food residue recovery, campus policies and education.

Activities and documented evidence

Green University Policy: Institutional Commitment to Responsible Consumption

AlmaU’s Green University Policy, originally established in 2021 and reviewed in 2025, provides an institutional framework for integrating environmental sustainability into university operations. The policy identifies several priorities:

Gold Smart Plastic Zone Recognition in 2025

On 7 October 2025, AlmaU received the Gold Smart Plastic Zone recognition. According to the programme’s criteria, the Gold recognition is awarded to participating facilities demonstrating advanced practices in reducing plastic consumption, adopting alternatives to disposable products and implementing plastic waste separation and recycling.

Separate Waste Collection Infrastructure

AlmaU has introduced separate collection systems for recyclable materials on campus. Collection points include Tazalyk eco-boxes, dedicated containers on different floors, and plastic waste collection facilities near the parking area.

Food Waste Diversion and Agricultural Reuse

AlmaU also seeks to reduce the disposal of food residues generated through its campus catering operations. Food residues suitable for animal feeding are transferred to an agricultural farm associated with a university employee. 10 kg × 426 days = 4,260 kg, or 4.26 metric tonnes.

Cooperation with Waste Collection and Recycling Organisations

AlmaU’s existing sustainability materials identify cooperation with organisations involved in waste collection and specialised waste management. These include Tazalyk for paper and plastic collection, initiatives associated with Samsung for battery collection, Coca-Cola İçecek Kazakhstan and agricultural partners involved in food residue reuse. In 2023, AlmaU achieved second place in an electronic waste collection competition.

Reducing Single-Use Plastic on Campus

AlmaU promotes alternatives to disposable plastic products through its campus facilities and everyday operational practices. The Green University Policy identifies several measures:

Paper Reduction and Digital Administration

AlmaU supports responsible paper consumption through digital administrative systems and shared office infrastructure. The University has used the Documentolog electronic document management system since 2015, reducing reliance on paper-based administrative processes.

Illustrative waste and food-residue calculations — NOT weighed totals
Plastic bottles: 150/month × 14 months = 2,100 bottles; at 25 g/bottle = 52.5 kg.
Paper and cardboard: 40 kg/month × 14 months = 560 kg.
Metal: 20 kg/month × 14 months = 280 kg.
Combined three recyclable fractions: 52.5 + 560 + 280 = 892.5 kg ≈ 0.89 metric tonnes.
Food residues: 10 kg/day × 426 calendar days = 4,260 kg = 4.26 metric tonnes.
Illustrative combined material total: 0.8925 + 4.26 = 5.1525 ≈ 5.15 metric tonnes. These streams must not be misrepresented as all campus waste generated or all waste recycled.
Methodological note: figures are assumption-based; validate collection frequency, operational days, actual weights, waste transfer records and material destinations.

Evidence and related news (original links retained)

Official policy: Green University Policy, reviewed 2025

Official evidence: AlmaU Receives Gold Smart Plastic Zone Recognition, October 2025

Official evidence: AlmaU Students Complete International Summer Schools, July 2026

Official evidence: AlmaU International Collaboration and Global Social Impact Fellowship, June 2026

https://almau.edu.kz/en/almau-hosted-the-training-the-future-of-sustainable-business-esg-as-a-new-management-paradigm/