Earth Week 2025

Donate Food Instead of Wasting It

Many of us store unused food or gifts and often dispose of them when they expire.
During Earth Week, we collect non-perishable food, personal care items, and stationery from private households and donate them to Heidelberger Tafel e.V. They distribute the donations to organizations that support people in difficult social situations.
This way, we contribute to food rescue, conserve resources, and help those in need – a win for everyone and the environment!

The Tafel is happy to receive food that is still in its original, unopened packaging and has not yet passed its Best Before Date (BBD):

• Canned food of all kinds, e.g., stews, vegetables, sausage, fish, ravioli, etc.
• Rice, pasta
• Dried legumes: peas, lentils, beans
• Semi-finished products (without refrigeration): mashed potatoes, dumplings
• Flour, sugar, salt
• Muesli, oatmeal
• Jam, honey, Nutella
• Chocolate, cookies, baking mixes
• Coffee, tea, herbal tea

Specifically for the Women’s Shelter:

• Notebooks, pads, pens, erasers
• Hygiene/Intimate hygiene/Personal care items
• Baby and children’s care products

Items that cannot be accepted:

• Open fresh goods
• Leftover buffet items
• Products with expired consumption dates
• Refrigerated and frozen products from private individuals
• Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products

Collection points: 

DKFZ – Casino in Main Building (INF 280) 

Technology Park – Casino (INF 585) 

Skylabs, Zollhofgarten 1

Join this joint initiative to clean up your data, save energy, and reduce CO₂ emissions for climate action!

The session will kick off with a 15-minute presentation in English, followed by a 15-minute presentation in German, providing an overview of sustainable IT and practical tips on making data less energy-consuming.

Participants should bring their laptops and will then have one hour of data management support from the DKFZ IT Department.

Schedule:

• 10:00 - 10:15: English presentation
• 10:15 - 10:30: German presentation
• 10:30 - 11:30: Data management support

K1/K2 DKFZ Communication Center, INF 280 or online via Zoom 

Register here https://dkfz-de.zoom.us/meeting/register/eLDWzTdcS0iPpwHtP0rXBA#/registration 

Together for Biodiversity: Join us in planting insect-friendly plants outside of the DKFZ main building to create habitats for pollinators and support biodiversity. 

Meeting point: DKFZ Main Building Entrance, INF 280

Join the Plant & Seed Exchange!

Swap, share, and sprout new life! Bring your extra seeds, plant cuttings, or potted plants and trade them for something fresh. No plants to bring? No problem! Stop by anyway and take home a green new friend.

By sharing plants and seeds, you're reducing waste, supporting biodiversity, and making our community greener—one plant at a time. If you're bringing outdoor seeds or plants, we especially encourage pollinator-friendly varieties to help local bees, butterflies, and other wildlife thrive.

Let’s grow together!

Location: Foyer of the DKFZ Main Building, INF 280

Help to protect our insect fauna and build some nesting aids for wild bees and other insects. We will drill holes in blocks of woods and cut bamboo sticks in shape so that these can be used by these important animals for building their nests. If you have, please bring a drilling machine with drills for wood with a diameter from 2 to 10 mm, a (hardwood) saw to cut the bamboo and or pruning shears to cut smaller stems like reed. If you want, you take your built „insect hotels“ back home and put them up in your garden or your balcony. Soon you will be able to observe the wild bees.

Location: Open space Technology Park in front of the canteen, Neuenheimer Feld

Registration closes on April 24th at 2 pm 

Join Us for a Meaningful Hike & Trail Access Day!

Help us open up a piece of forest history! This year, we’re continuing our efforts on the historic Holzhauereipfad trail in Heidelberg’s forest. Over time, the path has become overgrown, and in collaboration with the Heidelberg Forestry Department, we’re working to make it accessible again—creating another way for people to enjoy and connect with nature.

We’ll hike to the trail from Königstuhl and get to work clearing vegetation. Expect to break a sweat while making a real difference! This is a great opportunity to experience Heidelberg’s beautiful forest, spend time with colleagues, and support efforts that improve access to nature.

The Forestry Department will provide tools, drinks, and snacks for a well-earned break, but we recommend bringing your own water, especially if you’re hiking up to Königstuhl.

Meeting Points & Schedule

• For those taking the bus: Meet at Bismarckplatz at 9:55 AM to take Bus 39 up to Königstuhl.
• For those hiking: Meet at Panorama Park (near the playground) at 9:30 AM. (See coordinates here.)

What to Bring

✔ Sturdy, “off-road” boots
✔ Work gloves (if you have them; otherwise, they’ll be provided)
✔ Clothes that can get dirty

What’s Provided (courtesy of the Forestry Department)

✔ Tools for the work
✔ Snacks & drinks 

Registration

Participation is limited to 25 people. If you are no longer able to attend, we kindly ask that you cancel your registration as soon as possible so your spot can be given to someone else.

Come be part of this rewarding experience—enjoy nature, make a difference, and have fun along the way!

You can register here indico.dkfz.de/event/1299/

Clothes swap party at the surgical clinic

Closet keepers – Everyone has clothes that you bought with enthusiasm and are now leading a sad existence somewhere in the far corner of the wardrobe.

The good news is: there are people out there who are looking for exactly what you do not need anymore. And vice versa: you too can find new treasures at our clothes swap event.

HOW IT WORKS:

1. You bring along clothes and accessories that have been sorted out, are clean and still in good condition.

A maximum of 5 items of clothing that are so clean and in such good condition that you would give them to your best friend. 

2. Your clothes will be received at the entrance and sorted by us according to size and category.

If possible, hand in your clothes 1 hour in advance so that we have time to sort them and have enough for the first people to browse starting at 11 am. 

3. You can browse, try on and go home with your new favourite pieces.

Whether you have brought something yourself or not, you can take as many items of clothing as you like.

If you have any questions, please contact noemi.bender(at)med.uni-heidelberg.de

When: Monday, April 28, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Where: Foyer in front of the surgery lecture hall (INF 420)

The symposium will delve into the critical role of sustainable practices within the scientific community. As researchers grapple with global challenges, it becomes imperative to adopt environmentally responsible and socially equitable research methodologies. This symposium will explore topics such as green laboratory practices, the inspiring role of grassroots movements, organisation’s sustainability strategies, and the vital role of funders, always with an eye on the future. By fostering a culture of sustainability within science, we can reduce our ecological footprint, enhance research integrity, and ensure the long-term viability of scientific research.

Through a series of keynote presentations and panel discussions, participants will have the opportunity to engage with leading experts and share their own experiences in sustainable science. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing, this event aims to inspire scientists to embrace sustainability as a core principle of their work.
 

See more information and register here: www.embl.org/about/info/sustainability/events/sustainable-research-fit-for-the-future/