In its environmental guidelines the University of Osnabrück committed itself to "set environmental goals with the involvement of university members, and to construct an environmental management system to implement them". The environmental goals have been developed within the framework of the project. They yet have to be discussed with those responsible in the various administrative departments and in the university management. The waste balance, for example, demonstrated that university members separate their waste ineffectively. A target was set to reduce the present 20% vol. content of paper and plastics in residual waste to 0%. This would simultaneously reduce disposal costs.