Environmental and Waste Management Policies: Reducing Plastic Usage for a Sustainable Future
Walailak University currently places great importance on reducing plastic usage, as the problem of plastic waste is a global issue that harms both the environment and humanity. Not only do plastic waste fragments pose a threat to nature, but microplastics have also entered the human body and made their way into the human food chain. Therefore, the university has implemented a policy around use minimization of plastic that was created in 2022. Also, this policy was revised, reviewed and has been continuously enforced in 2023. The university focuses on environmental conservation, energy conservation, and waste separation, as well as promoting the use of natural products and rejecting plastic bags to reduce pollution within the university. This initiative supports the university’s goal of becoming a sustainable university.
In 2023, the university implemented waste management from the source by promoting, disseminating, and raising awareness among the university population on proper waste management, which benefits individuals, the community, and the environment. The university instilled in its population the importance of daily waste management by encouraging the reduction of consumption at the source, maximizing the use of items, avoiding unnecessary consumption, and practicing proper waste management. The university also promoted environmentally friendly behaviors such as driving sustainable production and consumption, reducing food loss and waste across the supply chain, and properly managing hazardous waste to reduce harmful pollution to humans and the environment. Additionally, waste reduction was encouraged by supporting the principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling. The plastic waste reduction policy was implemented with the following guidelines:
1. No free single-use plastic bags will be available to all store customers. However, for ready-to-eat cooked food, plastic bags made from 100% recycled materials, bioplastic bags, or paper bags can be available for customers for purchase as food containers.
2. No Styrofoam containers or compostable handle plastic bags will not be available at all stores.
3. All single-use plastic cups will be replaced with bio-plastic coated paper cups or washable and reusable ones at all stores.
4. Bring-your-own-cup discounts will be offered for all takeout beverage stores.
5. Single-use plastic spoons, forks and straws will not be provided by any store unless requested by customers.
All shops within the university area are required to strictly adhere to the announcement to ensure good health and a healthy environment.
Additionally, the university also manages waste in the dormitories, which serve as student residences. Currently, the university has 17 dormitories, divided into standard dormitories (Laksananives) and WU Residence, accommodating a total of 6,533 students. These dormitories may generate a significant amount of waste. Therefore, the university has placed trash bins at designated points around all dormitories and collects the waste according to a set schedule each day, ensuring that different types of waste are disposed of using appropriate methods.
The university has also promoted various plastic waste reduction campaigns for students, staff, and vendors within the university, including the following initiatives:
The Minimization of Plastic Use Activities for University Students and Staff
In 2023, the university promoted the minimization of plastic bag use among students and staff by encouraging the avoidance of single-use disposable materials, such as using cloth bags, baskets, or portable water bottles. Additionally, various activities were organized to promote waste reduction in the university, such as teaching students how to sort waste at the source to make waste management easier. During the 2023 Activity Day, awareness was raised among students and staff to reduce daily plastic waste by using cloth bags instead of plastic bags. Other activities included promoting the use of cloth bags for medication packaging instead of plastic bags at Walailak University Hospital.
The Minimization of Plastic Use Activities for Vendors within the University
The university promoted the discontinuation of foam containers and plastic bags with handles, encouraging the use of natural materials instead of plastic containers. Vendors were encouraged to reduce the use and distribution of single-use plastic cutlery, forks, and straws unless requested by the buyer. Additionally, vendors were encouraged to offer discounts on beverages for customers who brought their own reusable cups.
These activities aimed to raise awareness about reducing environmental pollution and promoting the reuse of resources for maximum benefit, rather than disposing of them. This not only helps to reduce waste but also decreases resource consumption, ensuring efficient use of resources and contributing to environmental conservation.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production