Research on Responsible Consumption and Production

Research on Responsible Consumption and Production [12.1]

Research addressing sustainable resource use, circular economy, and responsible production systems.

Research on Responsible Consumption and Production at PTUK focuses on applied and interdisciplinary studies that reduce waste, improve product lifecycles, and optimize institutional procurement and supply chains. Research topics include life-cycle assessment (LCA) for campus-owned products and systems, circular economy pilots (e.g., composting and organic waste valorization), sustainable packaging studies, and socio-economic analyses of consumption patterns on campus and in nearby communities. PTUK academic departments (Environmental & Sustainable Agriculture, Engineering, and Business/Management) engage students in thesis projects and applied research that feed directly into policy recommendations and campus operations. Research outputs include technical reports, peer-reviewed papers, pilot demonstrations (e.g., composting units), and guidelines used by the Sustainability Office to improve university procurement and waste policies. By linking research to practice — pilot projects, monitoring, and stakeholder workshops — PTUK strengthens evidence-based transitions to more sustainable production and consumption models in the region. This research axis supports SDG12 targets by enabling data-driven waste reduction strategies, informing sustainable procurement, and building capacity in circular economy approaches for students and local partners. (Key PTUK reporting and project pages provide context for these research and pilot activities.)

Activities Table