Sustainability on Campus: Team Green

Bringing sustainability from research into campus life

At MPI-SusMat, sustainability starts at the smallest scale - at the atomic level and within material structures. Our researchers explore how materials can be designed to be more durable, resource-efficient and recyclable, helping to enable a more sustainable and circular materials economy. Team Green brings this spirit from the laboratory into everyday campus life. By working together on practical improvements, we aim to make our institute a more sustainable place to work. To us, a sustainable future is shaped not only through scientific discovery but also through the choices we make every day.

Supporting wildlife and biodiversity

Being located in the city centre means that green spaces are limited, along with natural food and breeding habitats for insects and birds. To tackle this challenge, we actively support local wildlife and biodiversity by planting and maintaining wildflower meadows around the institute, as well as providing food sources and nesting opportunities to support urban bird populations.

Commuting to work with lower CO₂ emissions

MPI-SusMat researches strategies to reduce CO₂ emissions in metal production, and we aim to bring this commitment to sustainability into our everyday campus life. To support green mobility, we encourage our staff to cycle to work and installed bicycle racks on campus. Moreover, we also participate in the annual Stadtradeln campaign, a nationwide cycling initiative that encourages people to use bicycles for everyday journeys. During the 21-day campaign, participants record the kilometres they cycle and compete both individually and as teams. Every trip made by bicycle instead of car can help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions while also improving quality of life. To make cycling in Düsseldorf more accessible, our sustainability group offers guided city bicycle tours that help participants gain confidence when navigating busy streets and discovering cycling routes around the city.

Recycling toner cartridges

Printer toner cartridges contain valuable materials that can be recovered and reused, making proper recycling an important part of responsible resource management. At MPI-SusMat, we collect used toner cartridges and return them to the manufacturer for recycling. By keeping these materials in circulation, we help conserve raw materials and reduce the environmental impact associated with producing new cartridges.

Networking for more impact

Team Green, the Sustainability Group of the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials, was established in spring 2020. As a grassroots initiative, it is run entirely by volunteers, including technical and administrative staff, students and scientists.

It is part of the broader Max Planck Sustainability Network, which was founded in 2019 and spans more than 60 Max Planck institutes across Germany. The network’s mission is to foster a more sustainable scientific environment, reflecting the mission statement of the Max Planck society:

“The Max Planck Society is commited to contributing to a future worth living in, both through its research and its practical actions. It wants to be a role model for how research can be conducted responsibly, sustainably and in a climate-friendly manner.”

Contact: teamgreen@mpi-susmat.de