World Environment Day: Humanitas University’s commitment
Today, 5th June, marks World Environment Day – the most significant United Nations initiative focused on protecting our planet. The 2025 edition is dedicated to plastic pollution: globally, over 400 million tons of plastic are produced each year, a figure that could double by 2050. Nearly two-thirds of all plastic becomes waste, ending up in landfills or dispersing into the environment.
According to data from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), between 19 and 23 million tons of plastic waste end up in aquatic ecosystems each year – polluting lakes, rivers, and oceans, and contributing to the problem of microplastics. These particles, smaller than 5 millimeters, can enter the food chain through water or food. Their health effects are still under study, but the European Union has already taken steps to reduce the intentional use of microplastics in products such as cosmetics and detergents, and to limit the release of microplastics from secondary sources, such as tire wear and the washing of synthetic fabrics.
A sustainability-driven campus
Innovation, shared responsibility, and the shift toward a more circular economy are all essential tools for protecting the environment. Even within a university setting, it’s possible to make a difference – as demonstrated by the experimental project by the 3D Lab at Humanitas University and IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, which focuses on recovering high-density polyethylene caps from university and hospital environments.
Humanitas University promotes concrete actions toward sustainability, incorporating environmentally conscious choices into everyday campus life. Examples of this commitment include the construction of a bike station, the introduction of car-sharing and carpooling services – aimed at encouraging sustainable mobility and reducing traffic impact – and the installation of water-saving faucets for handwashing, which can cut water use by up to 80% compared to traditional taps.
The newly inaugurated Roberto Rocca Innovation Building, located within the Campus, was designed with environmental sustainability in mind, following strict guidelines for material reuse and recycling. The building has received the LEED V4 Gold certification and was awarded the Wood Architecture Prize 2024, thanks to its extensive and conscious use of wood as a construction material.
To reduce the use of drinking water, the building features a high-efficiency irrigation system that reuses naturally tempered groundwater from the thermal system. It’s estimated that this solution saves around 26,000 cubic meters of water per year, which is used solely for irrigating green areas.