Newbie 101: What you need to know about RMIT & sustainability

Many talk about sustainability, but RMIT Vietnam sets itself apart by actively putting it into action. Our community brings sustainability into everything, from learning and research to everyday campus life. It’s about helping everyone make choices that shape a better future. 

Simply put, sustainability means caring for people and the planet through small actions that make a big difference. It’s built on three main pillars: 

• Environmental: Taking care of the planet by cutting down on waste, saving energy, and protecting nature. 
• Social: Creating a fair, inclusive, and supportive community where everyone belongs. 
• Economic: Using resources wisely so that growth and success can last for the long term. 

RMIT Vietnam's commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through a range of outstanding campus initiatives that put green principles into practice, with the 7R model standing for Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle. It encourages everyone to make mindful choices that help reduce waste and extend the life of materials.

To put this idea into practice, RMIT runs several activities on campus. Here are just a few that you can find around campus all year round.

At RMIT Vietnam campus, the trash bins are catagorised and will be disposed of accordingly. This helps reduce waste and ensures that recyclable materials, such as paper, styrofoam, or plastics, are processed correctly.

Not only regular trash, electronic trash are also sorted. Did you know batteries can contain toxic chemicals and are not safe to dispose of with regular trash? Drop off your used batteries at our Battery Recycling Booths around campus and do your part to keep the environment clean and safe. 

Cycle your way to campus and enjoy free parking plus priority access to bring your bike inside. “It’s an easy way to stay active, stay fit, reduce carbon emissions, and do something good for the environment,” said Dr. Justin Battin from the School of Communication & Design. 

If you ride an electric bike, RMIT has a dedicated charging zone on campus so you can power up anytime. 

Located in the Canteen, Library and Sport Hall (B10), the Reuse Station promotes sharing and circular use. Students and staff can leave items they no longer need, such as paper bags or gift wraps, for others to take and use. 

At RMIT, your good green habits don’t go unseen, they get rewarded. By bringing your own cup to buy coffee or take part in donating clean plastics, you can earn Green Points and exchange to exclusive eco-friendly merchandise from RMIT Sustainability. 

Head to Green Points program's official page agreenchoice.vn to check out the rewards and learn how to start! 

Bring Clean Plastics, Take Home Gifts is a monthly exchange waste event of Waste Classification at RMIT and takes place on Wednesday in the third week of every month at Saigon South campus. The event aims to provide an opportunity for the entire RMIT community to develop the habit of waste classification waste at source and contribute to the reduction and recycling of plastic waste, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.

Once you have sorted your trash for recyclable plastics and cleaned them, you can exchange them at the event booth for gifts and Green Points and join many interesting activities that promote sustainable habits. 

Sustainability Week is RMIT’s annual celebration of sustainable thinking and action. The week brings students, staff, and partners together through workshops, talks, booths, and showcases that highlight real solutions for a better RMIT and beyond.

In 2024, the inaugural Sustainability Week drew hundreds of students to join and interact in exciting activities across campus. This year, it returns with the theme “Purpose in Action: People, Planet and Passion,” designed to turn sustainability from idea to action through exciting activities, interactive workshops, and insightful panel discussions.

At RMIT, sustainability is also a core part of learning. The School of Communication & Design offers dedicated courses such as HUSO2436: Sustainability & Creativity, where students explore real-world challenges and work with local industry partners to design creative, practical solutions. If you’re interested, you can take this course as a general elective. 

Moreover, no matter what school or major you’re in, sustainability is integrated into your studies. Many assessments and projects are inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, giving you opportunities to apply what you learn to real cases. 

Being aware and trying a little harder each day. Maybe it’s choosing to refill your bottle instead of buying a new one, or taking a few extra minutes to sort your waste correctly. These small acts remind us that change often begins quietly, with intention and care. 

Keep the sustainability habit alive, share what you’ve learned, and inspire others to take their own first step. Follow RMIT Sustainability on Facebook to stay connected with the stories, people, and ideas shaping a greener RMIT community. 

Story: Pham Phuong Thao, a Professional Communication student at RMIT Vietnam. This article does not reflect the views of RMIT Vietnam.