Solid Waste Minimization Strategies: The First Step Towards Greening a University Campus
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 reuse 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 minimization could be planned by the university’s administration. To conclude, this paper will recommend waste minimization strategies, i.e., Environmental Management & Improvement (EMI) Community participation and social responsibility as the first step toward greening the university campus.
Keywords
Greening campus Solid waste management UiTM Perak Waste minimization Waste generationNotes
Acknowledgments
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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