Waste and Plastic Reduction Policy: Extending to Outsourced Services and Supply Chain for Sustainability

The issue of waste has become increasingly severe, particularly with the problem of waste lingering in the environment. Walailak University recognizes the importance of proper waste management and strives to raise awareness among staff and students about minimizing waste generation. Given that waste is a global problem that harms both the environment and humanity, the university has implemented policies that serve as guidelines for waste management. These include a commitment to eliminating the use of plastic bags and polystyrene foam containers for food packaging at on-campus stores, as well as policies to reduce the use of single-use plastics. These efforts aim to promote better health and environmental conditions, with the policies being reviewed in 2022 and continuously enforced in 2023.

In 2023, the university has established the policies as guidelines for students, and staff. Also, these policies are extended to outsourced services and the supply chain, to avoid waste generation. Waste management practices aim to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills to the lowest possible level while enhancing the university’s image as a green and happy campus. As a result, the university has implemented measures in accordance with Walailak University’s waste management policy across all areas of the campus. For example, food vendors within the university canteens and food centers are required to stop providing plastic bags and foam containers for food packaging as part of efforts to reduce waste from the source. The university is committed to being a green campus, a happy university, and a sustainable institution for everyone. The goal is to create a clean, safe, and conducive environment for learning and teaching, while ensuring a high quality of life on campus. Internal processes also focus on energy conservation and environmental protection, including both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

The following are the key practices outlined in the policy:

1. All of WU’s offices and facilities must operate under the framework of the Green University Policy on Waste and Hazardous Waste Management for a sustainable society and environment, both terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic ecosystems. Besides, all of WU’s offices and facilities shall apply the principle of 3Rs—Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to develop WU as a zero-waste university.

2. WU’s Center of Waste Management Landscape Architecture and Environment, is responsible for managing general waste, hazardous waste, and wastewater. The center shall also measure the amount of waste sent to landfills and for recycle at WU as a mechanism to monitor WU’s performance on environmental sustainability and waste generation.

Figures : Landfilled waste at Walailak University refers to waste that cannot be reused.

Figures : Recyclable waste, such as plastic bottles or paper, is either reused or sent to the waste bank.

Figures : Inorganic waste is recycled into Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF).

Figures : Organic waste is reused as animal feed and for compost production.

3. Waste will be sorted into the following categories:

- - - - Composable waste means waste that can be compostable and used as compost when it decays, e.g., vegetable scraps, food scraps, and animal remains.
        Recycled waste means waste that can be processed into products, materials, and substances, e.g., plastic scraps, glasses, and papers.
        Hazardous waste means waste that is composed or contaminated with substances, secretions, or chemicals such as aerosol cans, engine oil bottles, toilet cleaner bottles, nail polish bottles, etc.

Currently, the activities implemented by the university related to these policies also extend to outsourced services and supply chain which is the contracted services, such as:

1. Supporting or encouraging vendors and suppliers within the university to stop providing free plastic bags or to use natural materials instead of plastic containers.

2. Requiring vendors and suppliers within the university to discontinue the use of foam containers and degradable plastic bags with handles.

3. In the case of catering or food services within the university, encouraging outsourced service providers to reduce the use and distribution of single-use plastic cutlery, forks, and straws.

Walailak University also promotes and raises awareness among students, staff, and outsourced service providers to prioritize minimizing waste generation as the top priority. The focus is on the efficient use of raw materials and production resources, and once waste is generated, efforts must be made to reuse or recycle as much as possible. The university emphasizes the potential benefits of each type of waste to minimize the amount of waste that requires treatment or disposal, with waste disposal being the last resort. Additionally, the university has planned and implemented strategies to transform on-campus markets into green markets. In an era where energy costs are rising and the environment is increasingly polluted, waste management has become more challenging. The role of plastic has become prevalent in daily life, prompting Walailak University to address environmental concerns and foster greater environmental consciousness.

In organizing on-campus markets, the university has adopted the concept of promoting the use of environmentally friendly products, using biodegradable natural packaging, reducing the use of foam and plastic, supporting community products, organic agricultural products, and pesticide-free vegetables. Vendors are encouraged to take social responsibility by producing products and food that are safe for consumers and the environment. Additionally, the university seeks to raise environmental awareness and provide knowledge and understanding to both vendors and consumers, encouraging them to be more environmentally conscious.

Waste and Plastic Reduction Policy: Extending to Outsourced Services and Supply Chain for Sustainability

Sustainability and Stewardship

Waste and Plastic Reduction Policy: Extending to Outsourced Services and Supply Chain for Sustainability

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