Deakin is committed to being a sector leader in sustainability. By embedding our principles in everything we do, we aim to minimise our environmental impact, maintain our financial viability and promote the social aspects of sustainability whilst nurturing and enabling our future leaders.

Help us create a sustainable Deakin

As a Deakin value, sustainability is a priority. We’re committed to being a leader in sustainability, and you can help us to make a meaningful difference.

Play your part

Our community is passionate about sustainability. Small actions make a big difference, and there are lots of ways you can help us to reach our goals.

We Choose to Reuse

The Deakin community is working towards a goal of zero waste to landfill by 2030 and you can help us to save approximately 160,000 items of packaging from landfill annually by choosing to reuse.

In 2023, cafés and food outlets at the Waurn Ponds campus are wiping out the waste generated by single-use plastics, takeaway cups and other disposable packaging. ‘We Choose to Reuse’ says it all – reusable crockery, cutlery and cups will be introduced at Market Hall, Barista Bar and Mr Tod, collected, washed and returned for reuse. The initiative is being run in collaboration with Sustainability Victoria as part of the Single Use Plastic Ban campaign.

Lend a hand to wipe out waste:

• GRAB food and drinks in the reusable containers provided at Market Hall, Barista Bar and Mr Tod
• USE real crockery, cutlery and cups to enjoy your meal at one of the participating venues or take it to your favourite study area
• RETURN reusable items to designated collection points in Market Hall, outside Barista Bar and next to Mr Tod in the Library
• REPEAT

Choose the right bin

On campus, you’ll see different bins for rubbish, organics (compost) and recycling. This is so we can separate waste items and reduce our contribution to landfill. If you’re not sure which bin to use, take the time to check the A-Z waste list before you throw things away.

Contamination is one of our biggest waste challenges. If our organics and recycling bins are contaminated with other items, all the contents will end up in landfill, so it's important to separate waste items before they end up in the bin. Think before you throw!

BYO coffee cup (and save)

To avoid single use coffee cups, you can bring your own reusable cup to any of our on-campus cafes. You’ll get 20 cents off your drink each time you choose one of these options.

Travel to campus on foot, bus, train, tram, or bike

It’s convenient to access our campuses without your car. There’s bike storage, showers, lockers, myki top up stations and shuttle buses to help make it easy for you.

Find more information on the campus location webpage or watch our video.