Solid Waste Minimisation Strategies: The First Step Towards Greening a

University Campus

Noor Rizallinda Ishak1*

, Siti Akhtar Mahayuddin2

1Faculty of Architecture Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak

32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

noorr399@perak.uitm.edu.my 2Faculty of Architecture Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak,

Kampus Kota Samarahan 1, Jalan Meranek, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

sitia880@sarawak.uitm.edu.my

Abstract: Tonnes of solid waste are generated daily in a University campus which need appropriate

management. Problems in the management of solid waste are tremendously affecting the daily lives of people

and give negative impact to the environment. Therefore, a comprehensive solid waste management system is

one of the greatest challenges in order to attain campus sustainability. The least hierarchy in waste management

practices is disposed. The disposal of waste can be reduced if other waste management practices such as re-use

and recycle are increased. However, these practices can be increased by understanding the current profile of

solid waste produced. For that reason, the current profile of solid waste generated need to be identified in the

university campus. This paper presents the current status of solid waste generation and disposal in Universiti

Teknologi MARA, Perak. Through a waste audit at four students' hostel, this study has quantified the amount

and composition of solid waste generated. Thus, practical and economical strategies for waste minimisation

could be planned by the University's administration. To conclude, this paper will recommend waste

minimisation strategies, i.e., Environmental Management & Improvement (EMI) Community participation and

social responsibility as the first step towards greening the university campus.

Keywords: Greening campus, Solid waste management, UiTM Perak, Waste minimization , Waste generation

1. Introduction

Greening influences every aspect of human culture which has impacts on the economic, the

environment and daily lives. With the increasing concerns on different environmental issues and a

need to respond climate change, universities should create knowledge and integrate sustainability in

educational and research programs, as well as promoting environmental issues to the society. In

addition, a university campus can be considered as a small town because of its large size, population

and the various activities taking place in the campus (Alshuwaikhat and Abubakar, 2008).

Management of environmental resources in the university campus capable of giving long-term effects

on the institutions themselves and society as a whole. Green university efforts have been engaged in

many universities and made significant progress including improved environmental performance,

enhance public awareness and cost reduction on campus maintenance.

Universities would be expected to be a role model or a leader towards responsible waste

management. In order to achieve sustainability in an institution, the greatest challenge is a

comprehensive solid waste management (SWM) programs. Effective SWM programs require a

complete understanding of the composition of the waste stream as well as the activities that determine

its generation in the first place (Farmer et al., 1997). Examining waste by generation source is

particularly important, as the characteristics and composition of solid waste vary according to its

source (Tchobanoglous et al., 1996). Therefore, SWM programs that are based on source generation

found to be far more successful than other programs (Armijo de Vega et al., 2008).

Another key element of comprehensive solid waste management is the understanding of the

waste management hierarchy. The waste management hierarchy helps in the protection of the

environment and conserve resources. This can be achieved through a priority approach established in

waste policy, legislation and sustainability (Hansen, W. et al.2012). The waste management hierarchy

shows the order of preference or priority for action to reduce and manage waste. The hierarchy

captures the progression of the material through successive stages of waste management and

represents the latter part of the life-cycle for each material. (United Nations Environmental Program,

2013). The aim of the waste management hierarchy is to exploit the maximum practical benefits from

materials and to minimize the generation of waste. The proper application of the waste management

hierarchy results in several benefit such as prevention of green gases emissions, reduction in

pollutants, energy saving, conserves resources and stimulate the development of green technologies.

A study on characterization of municipal waste provide local decision makers with a detailed

understanding of the waste stream and enable waste management programs to be tailored to local

needs (Chang and Davila, 2008). Therefore, the waste characterization studies at colleges and

universities gives specific opportunities for waste reduction and recycling which an essential step

towards greening the campus (Keniry, 1995; Creighton, 1998). Waste characterization studies in the

University campus able to generate administrative support, cooperation among students, faculty and

staff and inspire further involvement in campus sustainability issues (Sharp, 2002; Beringer et al.,

2008). Moreover, proper waste management would bring benefits to the institutions such as financial

reduction. Therefore, this paper presents the current status of solid waste generation and disposal in

Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak and also the waste minimization strategies towards green

University Campus.

2. Method

Various approaches have been adopted to identify the amount, location, and characteristics of

a waste stream (Thompson and van Bakel, 1995; Yu and Maclaren, 1995; Dowie et al., 1998; Felder

et al., 2001; Mason et al., 2003; Dahlen et al., 2007). The approaches include reviewing waste

management records, visual waste assessments, interviewing waste management staff and

extrapolating data from other institutions (Ashwood et al., 1995; Yu and Maclaren, 1995; Creighton,

1998). However, direct waste analyses or waste characterization studies is the most effective process

for examining the various wastes generated and identifying opportunities for waste reduction, reuse,

recycling, and composting (Thompson and Wilson, 1994; Thompson and van Bakel, 1995).

Therefore, the study on solid waste in UiTM (Perak) campus was conducted in two stages: (1)

sampling and characterization of solid waste and (2) data collection, recording and analysis.

2.1 Sampling and Characterization of Solid Waste

Presently, the management of solid waste in UiTM (Perak) is controlled and managed by the

Department of Facilities Management of UiTM (Perak). Relevant information regarding current solid

waste management were gathered from this department and the appointed waste contractor through an

interview. Among the information gathered were on the method of waste collection, contractor

involved, location and capacity of the bin and the availability of the recycle bin. From this

information, a waste audit was designed to sample and characterize the solid waste in the selected

building of UiTM (Perak).

In this study, a waste audit was conducted at hostel block only because major quantity of solid

waste was produced by the students. The selected blocks were Angsana, Bidara, Cemara and Damar

which located at Zone 3 (refer Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Location of the waste audit was conducted (Zone 3)

All the blocks' building is identical in terms of the floor level and layout. The Angsana and

Bidara blocks are a female's hostel. Meanwhile, Cemara and Damar are a male's hostel. Every block

has four level. There are approximately thirteen (13) bins located at each level. Ten (10) of the bins

are located along the corridor in front of the student's room, and 3 of them is located near the staircase

for each level. There are a total of 415 existing bin for all four colleges Damar, Cemara, Bidara and

also Angsana. Meanwhile, the total number of rooms in the four blocks are 1,002 which accommodate

3,498 students.

During the waste audit, only two bins that located near the stairs were selected for sampling at

each level. For level 1, the ID sample was labeled as T1 and T2. For level 2, the ID sample was

labeled as T3 and T4. Meanwhile for level, the ID sample was labeled as T5 and T6. Lastly, for level

4 the ID sample was labeled as T7 and T8. The waste audit for every sample at each block was

conducted for six consecutive days (excluding Sunday) which align with the frequency of waste

collection by the waste contractors. For sampling purposes, the solid waste was classified as paper,

aluminum, glass, plastic, food waste, e-waste, clinical waste and others and listed in a standard form.

Waste from every sample was manually sorted according to its categories. All the sorted waste from

every sample was weighed using a standard weighing scale with a sensitivity of 0.1kg. Then, data was

recorded in a standard form for analysis.

2.2 Data Collection, Recording and Analysis

All the recorded data were computed in standard spreadsheet for waste analysis. The waste

collection rate of each bin had been calculated using Equation 1. Then the total waste collected in this

study was calculated by using Equation 2. Later the percentage by weight for every waste category

from the total waste was calculated. The percentage produced the waste composition according to the

weight. The waste generation rate per students in the studied hostel block also had been determined.

1) Waste collection rate = Total waste weighed (kg) / No. of sample (bin) (1)

2) Total waste collected = Collection rate (kg/bin/day) x No.of bins provided (2)

ZONE 3

3. Finding and Discussion

3.1 Waste Characterization

UiTM (Perak) has appointed three contractors to collect and dispose of all the waste in the

campus. All the contractors are in charge in three different zones. The frequency of the collection is

once a day for six days from Monday until Saturday. All the waste from the hostel blocks is then

transferred to a temporary collection area nearby a parking lot before sent to a nearby municipal

dumpsite. A one tonne lorry and a five tonne lorry are used to transport the collected waste.

The waste audit at four hostel blocks produced results as shown in Table 1. There were 192

samples from all the blocks with a total waste of 765.43kg. The highest waste quantity was 245.95 kg

recorded in Angsana Block. This was followed by Bidara Block and Damar Block with waste

quantity estimated at 232.49kg and 172.30kg respectively. Meanwhile, the lowest waste quantity was

recorded in Cemara Block.

Angsana block was the last block being audited which was at the fourth week of the study.

Coincidently, the audit at this block fell on the end of the semester. All the students need to clear

their hostel before going off for semester holiday. This activity include disposed of off their

unwanted belongings which contribute more waste at this block. The highest category of waste found

at Angsana block was papers from students' projects such as assignments, notes, drawings and

models. There were also newspaper, corrugated cardboard, boxboard, and also, mixed paper found.

The result also shows that male's hostel produced more waste than a female's hostel. Therefore, it can

be concluded that males are the major contributor for waste disposal. The solid waste found at the

males' hostel are papers, aluminium can and also glass drinking bottle.

Table 1. Waste Sample for Studied Hostel Block

Waste Total Sample (6 days) Total Waste (kg)

Angsana

Bidara

Cemara

Damar

48

48

48

48

245.95

232.49

114.69

172.30

TOTAL 192 765.43

Table 2 below shows the types and composition by weight of solid waste collected in Zone 3

hostel area. The highest composition of waste was food waste with a percentage of 48.30%, followed

by paper (30.90%) and plastic (9.01%). Meanwhile, the lowest composition of waste was clinical

waste (0.64%). Food waste found to be the highest composition as the students having meals (packed

food) in their hostels. They threw away the leftovers to the bins. The high composition of food waste

is influenced by the student lifestyle of buying packed food instead of having their meals at the stall or

restaurant. Normally students buy packed food from the night market nearby UiTM (Perak), which

held every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. They prefer buying food from the night market as the

food is cheaper and more varieties.

Table 2. Composition (% by wt) of Solid Waste Generated in Zone 3 Hostel Area

Types Weight (kg/day) Percentage (%)

Paper

Alumunium

Glass

Plastic

Food Waste

e-waste

Clinical waste

Others

236.54

25.59

9.11

69.00

369.70

6.09

4.90

44.50

30.90

3.34

1.19

9.01

48.30

0.80

0.64

5.81

TOTAL 765.43 100.00

3.2 Waste Generation and Collection

The total amount of waste sampled in this study was 765.43kg. By using equation 1, the

collection rate for each bin provided in the hostel block found to be 4 kg/bin/day (refer Table 1). The

total number of bins provided by the Department of Facilities Management of UiTM (Perak) for every

block is shown in Table 3. Therefore, the estimated quantity of total waste collected at the four

blocks was 1,660kg per day. During this study, there were 3,498 students' reside in Zone 3 hostel.

Thus, the waste generation rate for a hostel in Zone 3 found to be 0.47kg per student per day.

Table 3. Total waste Collected At Zone 3 Hostel Area

Block Total no of bins Collection rate

(kg/bin/day)

Total Collection

(kg/day)

Angsana

Bidara

Cemara

Damar

97

104

110

104

4

4

4

4

388

416

440

416

TOTAL 1660

4. Waste minimisation strategies

The findings from this study produced the necessary information to formulate practical and

economical strategies for waste minimization. It was estimated that the UiTM (Perak) campus

produces at least 1.6 tonne of solid waste per day. More than 44% of these wastes are recyclables or

potentially recyclable. This is shown in Table 1 that within the total waste generated in the hostel

blocks, the category of paper represent the larger percentage (30.90%) of recyclable waste in the

hostel. Thus, a segregation and recycling program is feasible in this campus. Therefore, this paper

proposes two solid waste minimisation strategies that could be implemented in UiTM (Perak) as a

first step towards greening the campus as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Waste minimisation strategies

The first strategy is environmental management and improvement (EMI) which will focus on

the minimisation of waste produced by the university's member. With regards to the waste

management hierarchy, the most effective way to reduce waste is to not produce it in the first place.

In fact, the reduction and reuse are the top priority to save natural resources, protect the environment

and save money. Recycling also can benefit the community and the environment as it is the process of

collecting and processing materials into new products. Unfortunately, this study found that the

provided recyle bins at every hostel blocks were underutilized as little quantity of recyclable waste

was found in the bins. The location of the recycle bins near the staircase at the ground floor level of

Environmental Management &

Improvement (EMI)

Reduce

Re-use

Recycling

Community participation and

social responsibility

Waste management

awareness programme

Food composting

Waste minimisation

strategies

the hostel block is not easily reached by the students who stay at higher floor. This situation might

hold back their intention to sort and send recyclable waste to the recycle bins. Therefore, the bins

should be relocated to a more accessible area to facilitate and encourage students to sort and recycle

waste.

The second strategy is community participation and social responsibility which focus on the

waste management awareness programme and food composting. Full coorperation and participations

from community in the campus are very important to make this strategy a success. There is a need to

put more effort into raising community members' awareness. In addition, knowledge and awareness

on waste sorting and recycling should be a major input in the awareness programme. This can be

achieved by awareness campaign emphasized on the considerable change in the attitude and

perception of the community in the campus towards solid waste management. Hopefully with the

raised awareness it will inevitably change the their habit and also behavior towards good solid waste

management practice. This paper also recommends food waste composting to be conducted

enormously at the hostel block as food waste accounted to 48.30% which was the highest composition

of waste collected. The compost from the organic material or food can be used as fertilizer in the

campus. Currently, there is 20-30% of waste are from food scraps and yard waste. Therefore,

composting these waste should become a regular practice in the campus. Producing fertilizer from

this compost can save cost on maintaining a garden in the campus. In addition, this practice will

prevent these materials enter the landfill which can later release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

5. Conclusion

Through a waste audit at four student's hostel, this study has quantified the amount and

composition of solid waste generated. Therefore, practical and economical strategies for waste

minimization could be planned by the University's administration. Besides that, the generation rate

from this study also can be used to make projections of total waste generated for the whole hostel

area. Hence, it is suggested that the university must give encouragement, educates and awareness to

its students in order to minimize waste and also improve recycling effort. The two main waste

minimization strategies proposed in this paper are essential in promoting sustainable behaviour and

attitudes of the campus community. Hopefully, the outcomes and recommendations from this study

would beneficial to the university.

6. Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Universiti Teknologi MARA (Perak), Excellence Fund for providing

the research grant 600-KPK(PJI.5/2/2/4) (94)

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