Awareness Action by AUTh and Eco-Hydro Engineers on Reducing Plastic Waste through Public Water Fountains

 Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025

Location: Campus of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh)

Event: “ΑΠΘ την Κυριακή” – Annual Open Day

Link to event: https://volunteering.auth.gr/sundays/

On Sunday, May 25th, 2025, as part of the annual “ΑΠΘ την Κυριακή – AUTh on Sunday” event—organized by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki to open its campus to the public and highlight scientific work and social engagement—Associate Professor Antigoni Zafeirakou, scientific coordinator of the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin project “Care Sea,” led an impactful awareness activity together with the student volunteer group Eco-Hydro Engineers, which she supervises.

The action focused on the proposal for the installation of public water fountains across the AUTh campus, aiming to ensure equitable access to potable water and significantly reduce plastic bottle consumption by students, staff, and visitors.

The team presented their work through a dedicated poster and an interactive stand, including:

●    A   PowerPoint   presentation   summarizing   international   examples   of   public   tap installations.

●   Data from their questionnaire-based research.

●   Proposed fountain locations across the university campus (based on GIS mapping).

●   Calculations showing that more than 10 kg of plastic waste per year is generated only

from one school canteen’s bottled water use.

●    Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially goals 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action).