Green Guide for Students Coming to Tallinn University

Green-travel tips

• Pack Light: Bring as little luggage as possible.
• Research Airlines: Check if airlines are actively reducing their carbon footprint. If possible choose direct flights or those with minimal layovers.
• Europe's largest intercity bus network, Flixbus, offers extensive travel options across the continent.
• Environmentally friendly Erasmus

Getting around

• Use Public Transport: Prefer public transportation, bicycles, or walking. 
• Explore Tallinn's Free Public Transport. Use Elron's website to find train times. You can also get yourself a green card for free public transportation. More information is available HERE.
• Cycling: Discover Tallinn on two wheels by renting a bike from various rental operators offering flexible rental periods and additional equipment options. See the list of bike rentals HERE.
• Electric Scooters: Navigate the city streets with ease by renting electric scooters available through popular mobile apps like Bolt and Tuul. Please note that scooter rentals are limited to users aged 18 and above. Ensure proper parking within designated service zones to avoid fines before concluding your ride. Please be aware that e-scooter availability may vary seasonally due to weather conditions, with rental services typically pausing during late autumn to winter months. 
• Note! Wearing a helmet while riding an electric scooter or a bike is crucial for safety. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of head injuries in case of accidents, which are common due to the scooter's/bike’s speed and the rider's exposure. 

Food

• Reusable Utensils: Bring reusable containers and water bottles. Note! Estonian tap water is renowned for its high quality and safety, making it perfectly drinkable straight from the tap. TLÜ has water points where you can fill your drinking bottle with clean drinking water! There are water fountains found in Tallinn University’s campus’ general areas, which are located:

Astra building - 1. floor. Opposite to “Euroopa saal” door

Terra building - 4. floor at the end of the city side’ hallway

Silva building - 1. floor on the left side of the stairs near the table-tennis

Vita building - 1. floor opposite to room V-102.

Mare building has bottle-filling faucets added to restrooms.

• Mindful Eating: Take only as much food as you can consume to minimize waste. 
• Tips for saving money! In Estonia, an app called “Tarbi targalt” is widely used, which helps you save money by showing in which store the product of your choice is cheaper. Just scan the product and you will see the price of the product in different stores. The app is in Estonian, but you don’t need to read much there. Also, it’s a good opportunity to practice your Estonian ;) 
• There's an app called ResQ Club that sells restaurant food to help reduce restaurant food waste.
• Local Produce: Opt for locally sourced seasonal fruits and vegetables. 
• While shopping, always bring your own bag. When buying vegetables and fruit, do not use a plastic bag
• Cooking: Prepare your own meals and explore recipes for leftovers. Use google or social media (IG or Tik Tok) to search recipe ideas.

Shopping

• Second-Hand Options: Explore second-hand stores (Humana, Sarapuu kirbukas, Basaar, Paavli kaltsukas) and online marketplaces, like Facebook Marketplace to buy stuff. 
• Sharing Economy: Share or borrow items with roommates or classmates.
• Bring Your Own Bag: Always carry a reusable bag when shopping.

Recycling in TLU and Estonia

• Dispose of Waste Properly: Always use designated trash bins. Read more about how we sort trash in Estonia: https://pakendiringlus.ee/en/services/apartment-buildings/mixed-packaging/
• Participate in Cleanup Activities: Join cleanup initiatives like "Teeme Ära" (Let's Do It) where hundreds of students contribute annually.
• Tallinn University joined the representative organization The Green Tiger to be an academic thought partner in the processes of the green transition and societal changes. The Green Tiger is a cross-sector collaboration platform started in 2020, the purpose of which is to devise, teach and implement a plan for a balanced economy.

In your Study Space

• Opt for reusing books - prioritize libraries, online platforms, such as Yaga or Facebook Marketplace, and second-hand stores.
• In school - prioritize digital resources overprinting; if printing is necessary, print on both sides of the paper to conserve resources.
• Turn off monitors, desk lamps, and lights when leaving for lunch, meetings, or similar occasions.
• Avoid leaving lights on unnecessarily when there is sufficient natural light available.
• Explore settings to enable your computer to hibernate more quickly.
• Consider putting your computer into hibernation instead of sleep mode when closing it, as it consumes less power.

Finishing your studies at TLU

• Donate Unused Items: Utilize donation bins, and online platforms, or share with friends. In Tallinn, you can find several containers where you can take your clothes. You can find more detailed information about the collection points HERE.
• There are lockers located near the Student Union meant to exchange things/clothes/study supplies etc with fellow students
• Choose Sustainable Souvenirs: Opt for sustainable, locally made souvenirs over plastic items. Buy light souvenirs to travel with as little luggage as possible.

Sustainability and the transition to green practices not only shape the city's natural landscape but also serve as fundamental principles of our society and economy.

In Tallinn, residents embrace an environmentally conscious lifestyle, recognizing their responsibility for future generations. Each generation strives to create and maintain a high quality of life for their children. We are proactive in adapting to climate change, with our development plans such as "Tallinn 2035" and "Climate Neutral Tallinn" aligning with the European Green Deal and the EU's vision of "A Clean Planet for All."

Tallinn boasts itself as an enticing tourist destination. Our rich biodiversity and expansive green infrastructure have rendered Tallinn one of Europe's most diverse capitals with some of the cleanest air. Our robust green network, comprising parks, forests, and verdant private gardens, offers a captivating natural environment and a wide array of eco-friendly leisure activities.

Explore more environmentally friendly choices in Tallinn