Responsible consumption in practice: Hasselt University students “pay it forward”
Moving out of your student accommodation does not have to mean throwing things away. At Hasselt University, international students gave their belongings a second life, helping future students settle in, save money and live more sustainably.
The end of the academic year always comes with mixed feelings. Exams are over, goodbyes are being said, suitcases are being packed and, for many international students, it is time to head home.
But what do you do with all the things you have collected during your stay abroad?
The kettle that survived countless study sessions. The bike that got you to class every morning. The kitchen utensils, desk lamp or notebooks that are still perfectly useful but will, for obvious reasons, not fit in your luggage.
Through a simple “pay it forward” initiative, departing Hasselt University students sold kitchenware, office supplies, furniture, bicycles and other everyday essentials to fellow members of the university community at a fraction of the cost of new items. Rather than becoming waste, these belongings continued their journey with new owners who will put them to good use.
“We wanted to create a campaign that not only benefited incoming students and the environment, but also truly underlined the warm and welcoming international community in Hasselt,” explains Stefanie Commeene, Internationalisation Officer at Hasselt University. The Limburg Association of Higher Education (AUHL) partner PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts took also part in the campaign.
The idea was wonderfully simple: something that had served you well could help someone else begin their journey in the student city of Hasselt. A saucepan became part of a new student’s first shared meal. A bike helped someone discover the city. A desk chair supported another late-night study session.
Turning waste into opportunity
Across eight European countries and nine universities, our alliance focuses on responsible consumption and production. Together, we are committed to exploring sustainable solutions both inside and outside the classroom.
By building our education, research and innovation initiatives around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, we aim to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable use of resources. The local Hasselt initiative therefore fits like a glove: every reused saucepan, desk lamp or bicycle represents an item that does not need to be produced or purchased brand-new.
At the same time, the initiative offered practical benefits for incoming students and staff. And let’s be honest: moving to a new country can be expensive. Finding affordable essentials is not always easy, especially when you also need a bike or perhaps even a mattress. Receiving second-hand items from fellow students can make those first weeks a little less stressful and a lot more welcoming.
What might seem like a small act of kindness can therefore have a lasting impact, benefiting both people and the environment.
Small actions, bigger impact
Responsible consumption is often associated with large-scale systems and global challenges. Yet progress often begins with local actions that are accessible to everyone. By choosing to reuse rather than discard, Hasselt University students demonstrate how sustainability can become part of daily life.
Their message is simple: Before throwing something away, consider whether someone else could benefit from it.
Through this collective effort, students help reduce waste, extend the lifespan of valuable resources and contribute to a more circular campus culture. In doing so, they embody both the ambitions of Sustainable Development Goal 12 and the mission at the heart of EURECA-PRO: creating a more sustainable future through responsible choices, collaboration and shared action.
So, before packing your bags and saying goodbye to your student city, take one final look around your room. Your bike, blender or beloved pasta pot might just be the beginning of someone else’s adventure.
And that is what paying it forward is all about – Happy Upcycling!
