Characterization of solid wastes as a tool to implement waste management strategies in a university campus

Abstract

Purpose Universities are an example of institutions that aggregate people around work/study who consume water, energy and produce waste daily in their activities, generating an impact on the environment. The purpose of this study is to determine the quantity, composition and recycling potential of waste generated at the Faculdade UnB Planaltina (FUP) campus, of the University of Brasilia in the Federal District, Brazil, to develop a waste management strategy compatible with national legislation and sustainable global practices. Design/methodology/approach This study was based on conducting on-site visits to identify the sources of generation, hazardousness, management and gravimetric characteristics of residual waste from 2015 to 2016. In 2016, a selective collection was implemented on the FUP campus, and since then, actions to raise awareness for the selective disposal and monitoring of waste were conducted with the academic community. Findings The results showed that the campus generates 148 kg of waste/day, whereas the per capita generation is 92 g/day. The production of hazardous waste is related to campus laboratories which manage it under a specific program. The campus restaurant is the place that generates the most waste, of which organic waste is the most representative. When categorizing the waste generated on campus, the authors found that the majority are recyclables at 67% of the total. This category includes material composed of cardboard, paper and plastic, all able to be recycled in the Federal District. Practical implications The recyclable waste generated at the FUP campus is being diverted from the city’s landfill because they are donated to a recycling cooperative. These actions promote income generation, social inclusion of waste pickers and a circular economy, all in compliance with the National Solid Waste Policy. As a result, the FUP campus is more in line with Brazilian legislation and the global context of adopting sustainable waste management amongst higher education institutions. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature on sustainability in higher education by reporting the process of implementation of a waste management strategy in a university campus. Further, it presents tools and methods that can be used to achieve sustainability in waste management. The study also identifies that the crucial factor for the success of such actions is the mobilization and participation of the academic community in the process. It does so by presenting findings demonstrating how the University of Brasilia has been concerned with adopting pro-environmental measures for sustainable development.

Sustainability in higher education institutions: a case study of project FUCAPE 120% sustainable

“…Moqbel et al (2020) identified that the University of Jordan produced approximately 8,100 kg of solid wastes every day during the regular semester, with a high potential for recycling. It is evident from these projects that HEIs could contribute to recycling (Tangwanichagapong et al , 2017; Moqbel et al , 2020; Nolasco et al , 2020).…”

Metodología de aprendizaje colaborativo para la reutilización de residuos producidos durante de la formación académica universitaria

“…Estos planes y mejoras están dirigidos a los residuos generales producidos por los diferentes campus, los desechos que forman parte del funcionamiento diario de los establecimientos. Los planes pretenden disminuir la cantidad de desecho producidos y tienen el potencial de hacerse cargo de gran parte de los residuos resultantes (Torrijos, 2021;Nolasco et al, 2021;Uyanik et al, 2021). Sin embargo, existe un foco de generación de residuos que no entra en esta categoría, se trata de los residuos sólidos inertes generados en la formación de los estudiantes, es decir aquellos desechos que vienen de las actividades con fines académicos.…”

Proposal for the Management of Solid Waste Generated in a University Campus: A Case Study

“…Several universities across the globe already have successful cases of solid waste management, in terms of waste characterization and the implementation of actions to reduce waste generation. Some examples are Universitat Jaume I in Spain [13], the University of Brasilia in Brazil [14], the Autonomous University of Baja California in Mexico [15], Harvard University in the United States [16], Catholic University of Chile [17], Prince George campus of the University of Northern British Columbia in Canada [18], the University of British Columbia in Canada [19], among other. In the case of Shenyang University in China, they have implemented in their campus, a ground source heat pump with less frequently gas to operate their heat pumps; a system wastewater recycling, it includes cascade reuse, waste minimization, and source reduction; integrated solid waste management (such as the collection of discarded PET -polyethylene terephthalate-bottles, etc.…”

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Sustainable development goals 3,6,7,9,11,12,13,14,and 15, promoted by the United Nations, address the issue of waste management as a basis for preserving ecosystems. This paper states the management of recyclable and non-recyclable solid waste generated by 19,032 people on the university campus of the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) in Ecuador.

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