Earth Week 2025
Join us for Earth Week from April 22 to 29, 2025!
Earth Day on April 22 is a global call to protect our planet—and we’re bringing that spirit to life with Earth Week at DKFZ, UKHD, and EMBL. Explore a variety of activities across Neuenheimer Feld and EMBL’s campus, all designed to deepen our understanding of the environment and inspire action.
Check out the calendar below to get a quick overview of what’s happening and when. Scroll down for detailed information on each activity. We can’t wait to see you there!
22 - 29 April
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
Tuesday, 22 April
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
Join Us for a Cleaner Neuenheimer Feld! Together with NeckarCleanUp, we’ll be picking up waste in Neuenheimer Feld to keep our environment clean and prevent litter from entering local waterways. After the cleanup, volunteers can enjoy free pizza and drinks as a thank-you for their efforts!
Meeting point: DKFZ Main Building Entrance, INF 280
You can register here: https://www.neckarcleanup.org/de/cleanup/earth-week-cleanup
Wednesday, 23 April
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
Discover the World of Ecosystems Playfully!
Dive into Nexus Island – an exciting game developed at EMBL that makes exploring ecosystems an interactive experience. After a brief introduction to EMBL, you’ll take part in a 1.5-hour workshop where you can try out the game and learn more about the fascinating connections in nature.
Open to the public – registration required (link to follow)
The event will be conducted in German and promoted through the WMB channels.
Location: Imaging Centre, EMBL
Sustainable agriculture – what does it really mean?
Join our Garden Tour at Mini-Farm Gemüsekultur Heidelberg and see firsthand how we grow vegetables using ecological and resource-efficient methods. We focus on seasonal cultivation without heavy machinery, synthetic fertilizers, or chemical pesticides, ensuring long-term soil health and biodiversity. We practice no-dig method to protect soil structure and fertility, enriching it with organic compost.
To reduce our environmental impact, we use a one-day pick-up system – no transport, no packaging, no waste – just fresh, local produce straight from the field.
Gemüsekultur Heidelberg | We meet here |
Join us for a hands-on session where you'll learn how to create beautiful, eco-friendly seed paper using simple techniques! In this workshop, we'll guide you through the process of crafting paper embedded with bee-friendly plant seeds. Not only will you make unique, sustainable paper, but you'll also be contributing to the environment by supporting pollinators. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced crafter, this session is perfect for anyone looking to combine creativity with sustainability. Come and leave with your own handmade seed paper, ready to plant and watch grow!
Thursday, 24 April
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
Discover the plants, trees and some good stories about nature and EMBL, in this garden stroll! Get inspired and learn a very simple technique to capture a beautiful moment or feeling in the shape of a poem.
Treffpunkt: Vor dem ACT
Join us for an inspiring afternoon workshop where creativity meets nature! Open to participants of all ages, this hands-on event invites you to explore the beauty of the outdoors by using various leaves and natural dyes to create unique art pieces. You'll have the opportunity to stamp designs onto EMBL's tote bags, clothing (not included), or paper, transforming everyday items into personalized works of art. Whether you're looking to express your creativity or simply enjoy a relaxing artistic experience, this workshop promises a fun and nature-inspired escape for everyone!
Friday, 25 April
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
Held by Anke Beutel
• In German or English, depending on the interest group
• 1 hour workshop on how to help saving the resources with garment purchase
• 1 hour “My swap fashion piece”: participants should add a little tag with the story of the garment (What did the garment experience with me - travel, cozy evenings on the couch with my favorite series, watching shooting stars with someone I like; Why did I select it in the first place; Wishes and care instructions for the new owner)
Location: Szilard Library (inside ACT), EMBL
Saturday, 26 April
Join Us for a Meaningful Hike & Conservation Effort!
Help us uncover history and restore nature! This year, we’re continuing our work on the historic Holzhauereipfad trail in Heidelberg’s forest. Over time, the path has become overgrown, and to support the Heidelberg Forestry Department, we’re helping to make it accessible again.
We’ll hike to the trail from Königstuhl and get to work clearing vegetation. Expect to break a sweat while making a real impact! This is a great opportunity to enjoy Heidelberg’s beautiful forest, connect with colleagues and nature, and contribute to conservation efforts.
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/
Monday, 28 April
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)
Who doesn’t have an old cell phones or glasses lying around in a drawer because they're too good to throw away. But what to do with them?
The Sustainability Network NeNa from the UKHD will collect old smartphones and glasses on Monday, April 28 from 11:00 to 14:00 in the Foyer of the Centres for Surgery and Internal Medicine.
The discarded glasses will be sent to countries where they are needed most via an aid organization (https://konvoi-der-hoffnung.de/). So please make sure that the glasses are intact.
Old cell phones will be refurbished or repaired (if possible) and alternatively recycled. Tablets, laptops etc. cannot be accepted.
When: Monday, April 28, 2025 from 11.00 am - 2.00 pm.
Where: Foyer of the Centres for Surgery and Internal Medicine (INF 420)
Freshly baked waffles and information on NeNa
Enjoy our freshly baked vegan waffles and learn about NeNa’s (Employee network for sustainability at UKHD) activities and your options to participate for a sustainable job environment. Revenue from the waffels sale will be used for sustainability purposes at the university hospital.
When: Monday, April 28, 2025 from 11.00 am - 3.00 pm.
Where: Foyer of the Centres for Surgery and Internal Medicine (INF 420)
The Green Surgery UKHD team introduces itself
On the way to more sustainability in the OR and on the ward: Surgery is a major contributor to environmental pollution. Operating theatres consume 3-6 times more energy than the rest of the hospital and around 30 % of waste in hospitals comes from the OR.
In order to minimize the impact of surgery on the environment, the Green Surgery UKHD team is actively committed to saving energy, reducing waste, separating waste and recycling. The motto is “reusable NOT disposable”.
Come to the Green Surgery UKHD Team stand to find out more.
When: Monday, April 28, 2025 from 11.00 am - 2.00 pm.
Where: Foyer of the Centres for Surgery and Internal Medicine (INF 420)
Advice on all aspects of cycling
- The ADFC Rhein-Neckar offers saddle consultation and minor bike maintenance to get your bike ready for the season.
During the saddle consultation, a measurement is taken to determine which saddle is ergonomically suitable for you and you can try out different saddles.
- ZUMOBIL offers cycling maps for Heidelberg, gives tips on safe cycling, information on the local cycling infrastructure (bike stores, RadSERVICE points, free cargo bikes, rental bikes, cycle paths)
Registration is not necessary.
When: Monday, April 28, 2025 from 11.00 am - 3.00 pm.
Where: in front of the main entrance of the Centres for Surgery and Internal Medicine (INF 420)
Saki the artist will host a workshop to show how to make jewelry and trinkets from typical plastic lab consumables. She will also display her amazing dress made from steriological gloves. Monday 28th afternoon.
Location: EMBL
Tuesday, 29 April
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/
We look forward to celebrating and protecting our Earth together with you!
If you have any questions about the activities, please contact the appropriate person at the host institute:
DKFZ
Hollyn Hartlep
+49 157 3556 9759
sustainability(at)dkfz.de
UKHD
Dr. Noemi Bender
+49 6221 56 310177
nachhaltigkeit(at)med.uni-heidelberg.de
EMBL
Brendan Rouse
+49 6221 387 8776
brendan.rouse(at)embl.de