In 2025, the NHL Stenden Hospitality Group made significant progress in sustainability initiatives on campus. Thanks to the implementation of a deposit return packaging system – including donation points at the campus canteens, Notiz Hotel, and the reverse vending machines (RVM) – more than 13,000 bottles and cans were successfully collected and submitted to Statiegeld Nederland. This ensures that these items can be properly recycled and reused, rather than ending up in the trash.
The results demonstrate that applied research and practical implementation can go hand in hand. It clearly shows that behavioural interventions based on research have an impact in the ‘real’ world and can drive sustainable impact. In just six months (June–December), the RVM machines achieved impressive collection numbers, offering promising prospects for 2026.
| Total packaging donation & RVM | 13,005 bottles & cans |
| Total worth donation & tikkie | 2,258.5 Euro |
| Total money donated (Nationale school ontbijt en waddenvereneging) | 924.15 Euro
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This project was carried out by Marie Hartmann-Meester together with Elena Cavagnaro from the professorship Sustainability in Hospitality and Tourism. The research has since been published in the article “Motivating recycling behaviour: The role of deposit return systems and collection point design” .
The results show that well-designed return and collection systems can effectively encourage recycling behaviour while simultaneously making a positive contribution to society and the environment. NHL Stenden looks forward with enthusiasm to further developments in 2026.