The Landfill Waste Reduction and Recycling Policy: Tracking and Measuring Waste for Sustainability

20Oct 2024 by Kittipong Bunlear

Sustainability and Stewardship

Walailak University places great importance on sustainable waste disposal management, focusing on reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and increasing the amount of waste that is efficiently recycled. This effort aims to prevent negative impacts on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. In 2023, the university implemented a policy on waste disposal to measure the amount of waste sent to landfills and recycled, titled “Policy on Landfill Waste Reduction and Recycling.” This policy has been continuously reviewed and applied as a guideline since 2023, the year it was created. Also, this policy has been continuously enforced to promote sustainable waste management within the university. It also aims to raise awareness among students, staff, and vendors on campus about waste reduction and sorting, ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently while minimizing pollution that affects the environment.

In 2023, Walailak University has the processes to manage waste through the stages of source, intermediate, and final disposal. During the final stage of waste management, the university measures the total amount of waste sent for recycling and to landfills, totaling 841.73 tons per year, or approximately 2.31 tons per day

Figures: The Amount of Waste Generated Each Month at Walailak University in 2023

Each type of waste is disposed of differently, with two primary methods:

1. Recycling (Recycle) for reuse in production

Walailak University sorts recyclable waste or waste that can be reused in the final waste management process. In 2023, the total amount of recycled waste was measured at 774.12 tons per year, accounting for 91.97% of all waste.

1.1 Inorganic waste refers to waste that does not contain organic compounds and is difficult for microorganisms to decompose, such as glass, aluminum cans, dust, and metals. These materials take a long time to decompose efficiently. In 2023, the amount of inorganic waste was 735.83 tons per year. The university has undertaken the following steps to recycle and reuse this waste:

1.1.1 Transfer to factories for recycling and reuse

Recycling of materials that are difficult to decompose, such as plastic, metal, paper, tile, and glass, is managed by selling them and sending them to factories for recycling through the Walailak University Waste Bank project. This initiative generates income for the university.

1.1.2 Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) for Energy Utilization and Concrete Production

Recyclable waste, Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), is combustible waste that undergoes various processing steps, such as separating combustible materials from the incinerator and shredding the waste into small pieces. This process transforms the waste into solid fuel with specific heating value properties. The remaining ash and residue from the incineration are then used by the university in concrete mixing.

1.2 Organic waste refers to waste that decomposes quickly and can be reused, such as vegetable scraps, fruit peels, food waste, leaves, and meat scraps. In 2023, the amount of organic waste was 38.29 tons per year. The university has undertaken the following steps to recycle and reuse this waste:

1.2.1 Composting and Animal Feed:

Organic waste, which decomposes naturally in a short time, is collected from various sources within the university, including cafeterias and natural gardens. This biodegradable waste is used as feed for native pigs raised at the university and to produce compost for fruit trees and ornamental plants within the campus. Any surplus compost is produced for sale, generating additional revenue for the university.

Figures: Organic waste is reused for compost production.

Figure: Organic waste is reused as animal feed.

2. Sanitary Landfill

The university uses sanitary landfill methods to dispose of waste that cannot be recycled and reused, such as metal scraps, tile debris, and stones. In 2023, the amount of waste sent to landfills was measured at 67.61 tons per year, accounting for 8.03% of the total waste.

When compared to the previous year, the amount of recyclable waste reused by the university increased by 28.84%, while the amount of waste sent to landfills decreased by 78.09%. This improvement is due to better waste management practices, where combustible waste is converted into solid fuel with heating value properties or recycled into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). The remaining ash and residue from the combustion process are then used in concrete mixing.

Figure: Graph Comparing the Total Amount of Waste Generated at the University in 2022 and 2023

The existence of the Policy on Landfill Waste Reduction and Recycling to measure the amount of each type of waste is is beneficial for waste management within the university. The university ensures that reusable waste is reintegrated into the production process for each category, thereby reducing the amount of daily waste generated. This practice not only helps to reduce pollution but also maximizes the utilization of waste, which would otherwise be discarded. In addition to reducing waste, it also decreases resource consumption, ensuring the efficient use of resources and contributing to environmental conservation.

https://cse.wu.ac.th/?page_id=9283

https://dla.wu.ac.th/th/archives/3184

https://green.wu.ac.th/waste/

https://green.wu.ac.th/wp–content/uploads/2021/11/12.3.1.pdf