Te Oraka aims to minimise waste by repairing and recycling clothes, accessories, office chairs, desks, tables, kitchenware and bedding, and has an area where students can refill their dishwashing liquid, body wash and laundry liquid.
It also has a "Repair Cafe" which helps students fix anything from clothes and appliances to laptops and tablets, while having coffee and biscuits.
The facility is also used for workshops on various sustainability topics, including showing students how to compost and make food waste-free recipes.
The focus is on learning skills to make sure things survive a lot longer.
International Green Gown Awards judges said Te Oraka was a "remarkable" nomination, showcasing a superb student-led initiative that had notably clear outcomes that could be replicated, and it was yielding "impressive" results.
Underpinned by the circular economy — reusing, repairing, recycling — it was leading to systemic change, they said.
It was the first time Otago had reached the international finals, let alone won an award.
University of Otago acting vice-chancellor Prof Helen Nicholson said winning the award for student engagement was "huge recognition" because any university worldwide could enter the competition.
Sustainability office engagement team leader Jes Triscott said Te Oraka had shown creating spaces was important for authentically engaging students and staff.
"Simplifying sustainable solutions is essential to spark action, and behaviour changes can be embedded when skills, values and solutions are accessible and affordable."
Otago chief operating officer Stephen Willis said Te Oraka was part of a journey to embed sustainability in everything the university did, and have all graduates emerge with the skills, knowledge and experience to champion sustainability throughout their lives.
Sustainability office head Ray O’Brien said the win recognised "a massive number of people sharing a vision".
