The Mission

Notes Cycle aims to make Maastricht University’s paper use circular. Because many classes are no-device, students print course materials and notes, which creates large volumes of paper every month. We want to keep this paper in use for as long as possible: first by letting students share and reuse notes, and then by recycling whatever cannot be reused. Our goal is to reduce paper waste, support students who benefit from others’ notes, and help the university move towards its sustainability goals.

The Challenge

No-device classes at the university mean students rely heavily on paper. Our estimate is that this adds up to tens of thousands of pages every month across the university. After exams, most notes and printed materials are thrown away, often in general waste. There is no easy way for students to share useful notes, and not enough convenient recycling points where the paper is actually used.

The solution

A two-step system. (1) Note Sharing: a physical exchange point, similar to book sharing, where students can leave and pick up handwritten notes and printed materials for courses. (2) Recycling: clearly marked recycling bins next to the exchange points, so that paper that is no longer useful is collected and recycled. We would start with a pilot at one faculty (e.g. SBE) for one semester, measure the amount of paper shared and recycled, and then scale to other faculties.