Questions from students, informal conversations at the end of sessions and networking were a constant feature at the 17th edition of the Environmental Engineering Seminar Series (JEAmbi), held on 18 and 19 February, as part of the Técnico Career Weeks. The initiative, promoted by the Environmental Engineering Students’ Organisation (NEEA), brought together students, companies, and experts to discuss current sustainability challenges and explore career opportunities.
Among the experts was Catarina Matos, an architect who, in 2017, co-founded Mind The Trash, the first Portuguese online store focused on reducing waste. During the panel “Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Building the Future”, she shared the process of creating a business centred on the circular economy, seeking to “respond to identified flaws in the sustainability market, such as the use of disposable materials”.
Her motivation came from observing daily consumption patterns and the significant amount of plastic waste generated. “Profit cannot be the only criterion for success”, she said, arguing that business decisions must consider environmental and social impacts. The entrepreneur emphasised the importance of starting with small changes and embracing individual responsibility: “Thinking about sustainability also involves developing awareness, consciousness, and education”.
The business model of Mind The Trash is based on “seeking solutions that reduce disposable materials and promote sustainable alternatives”. The company is committed to domestic and artisanal production, organic certification, and the reuse of logistics materials, estimating that it “has already reused more than 200,000 boxes and more than 600 plastic containers for shipping bulk detergents”. The products developed include solid shampoos, reusable menstrual pads, and educational projects aimed at schools, with the goal of raising awareness of more sustainable consumption habits.
“Técnico students have an added responsibility regarding how sustainability is discussed and implemented. We need fewer slogans and more analytical skills, critical thinking, and competence to turn intentions into concrete actions“, she concluded. The sustainability of the future depends on how young people can integrate science, technology, and social responsibility, recognising that sustainability is not a final destination but a continuous process of improvement, adaptation, and commitment”.
According to Luísa Soares, president of JEAmbi, the initiative played a central role in promoting Environmental Engineering within the academic community. “The Seminar Series helps to effectively inform potential students about the undergraduate and master’s programmes at Técnico, highlighting various career opportunities for environmental engineers and the growing importance of this field in the current context of ecological transition”.
Over the two days, the event sought to bring students closer to the professional world, promoting contact with experts and companies in the sector and highlighting different career paths and future opportunities in the field of sustainability. “Environmental engineers play a decisive role in building a more sustainable future by working at the intersection of science, technology, and society”, added Luísa, an environmental engineering student at Técnico.
The Environmental Engineering Seminar Series are part of Técnico Career Weeks, an initiative that strengthens the connection between Técnico, its students, and the business community. The programme also addressed topics such as environmental monitoring with drones, remediation of contaminated sites, climate adaptation in cities, sustainable construction, and cellular agriculture, and promoted contact with real-world challenges and different career paths.
“The Environmental Engineering Seminar Series are an example of how students complement their academic training with experiences that are not only developed in the classroom or laboratory”, shared Rogério Colaço, president of Técnico, at the event’s opening session. “Over the course of 17 years, the event has consistently contributed to projecting Técnico students outside the institution, bringing them closer to the job market and creating opportunities for their future”, he concluded.
