Within the framework of wastewater disposal and emission protection, the legal regulations are implemented with regard to the discharge of wastewater containing pollutants, the handling of substances hazardous to water, flammable liquids and emission loads. Particularly due to the university's research operations, strict monitoring of compliance with wastewater limits takes place using measurement procedures.

In addition to the legally prescribed controls, voluntary controls are regularly carried out with regard to substances that pollute water. Thanks to these close-meshed controls, the limits for water pollutants have been significantly undercut for years, as the wastewater values from 2021 at the Wechloy site illustrate.

As in any commercial enterprise or private household, waste is generated at the University. As a producer and holder of waste, the university has to comply with certain legal obligations arising from the Closed Substance Cycle Waste Management Act (KrWG), the Lower Saxony Waste Act (NAbfG), theCommercial Waste Ordinance (GewAbfV) and the Statutes on waste management in the city of Oldenburg the Waste Management Act.

Of particular importance for the university is that the legislation at the state level, the NAbfG, stipulates that public bodies must act as role models. According to this, "every person (...) must behave in such a way that waste is not generated unnecessarily and that environmentally sound waste management is not made unnecessarily difficult" (§ 2 NAbfG) and that public bodies "(...) must fulfil the obligation under § 2 in an exemplary manner" (§ 3 NabfG). These aspects have been taken into account in the development and implementation of the university waste concept for household-type commercial waste. Recorded in the Waste guidelines of the University this forms a basis of understanding with all members of the university for dealing with and organising waste avoidance, recycling of recyclable materials and waste disposal. In order to achieve the best possible separation of recyclable materials and to avoid waste, educational work and contact with members are also of great importance.

The staff in charge of the department are therefore happy to answer questions and suggestions, provide information and advice on waste prevention and show ways to avoid waste. Tips for correct waste separation and waste avoidance and show ways of reusing (supposed) waste.

On average, each student and employee at the University of Oldenburg generated 29 kilograms of waste per year in the period from 2011 to 2020. In recent years, the University of Oldenburg has grown considerably. Increasing numbers of students and employees lead to an increased volume of waste.

In the pandemic year 2020, for example, almost 649 tonnes of waste were generated at Oldenburg University. On the positive side, the two largest portions - biodegradable waste and paper and cardboard - are easily recyclable fractions. Nevertheless, the amount of waste is increasing disproportionately to the increase in the number of people at Oldenburg University. Thus, the total amount of waste has increased by about 72% from 2011 to 2020, while the number of students and employees has increased by about 48%.

However, there is a clear distortion of the waste data in that the enormous increase in waste quantities in 2020 is almost entirely due to a more comprehensive recording of waste flows. Taking into account this very clear distortion, the total amount of waste increased by 36% between 2011 and 2019, while the number of students and employees increased by 45%, which would indicate a disproportionately low increase in the amount of waste.

In the context of climate and environmental protection, waste avoidance, recycling of recyclable materials and waste disposal as a whole represent a visibly relevant aspect.