University of Gastronomic Sciences creates a sustainable future

The University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy, born and promoted in 2004 by the Slow Food association in collaboration with the Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna regional authorities, is a private university legally recognized by the Italian state. They turn out gastronomes, people equipped with knowledge and skills in the agricultural and food sector, capable of driving food production, distribution, and consumption towards proper, viable choices and helping to create a sustainable future for the planet.

Year-on-year calculations of Total Water Use in the University have estimated savings of 600.000 liter of water and 6,000 kWh of energy each year. The share of hot water used in bathroom taps was estimated at 30%. This results in CO2 savings of 301 Kg per year. Based on utility costs for the water at 2 EUR/m3 and 0.20 EUR/kWh, the direct ROI for the project was 12 months.

Taking these savings into account, the payback time for the project was less than a year, and the total savings on the water and electricity bills are calculated to be EUR 2.500 each year.