“Marine Conservation Waste Segregation Station” Initiative at Bota Green Market, Walailak University
On Thursday, February 15, 2024, the WU Marine Conservation Club, in collaboration with Walailak Botanic Park, led by club president Ms. Praphatson Promkaew and fellow student representatives, organized the “Marine Conservation Waste Segregation Station” activity at the Bota Green Market within the university.
This initiative aims at encouraging visitors and customers to segregate various types of waste before disposal. Educational materials were provided to raise awareness about reducing plastic waste at its source, preventing it from reaching waterways and oceans. The campaign emphasized that everyone could contribute to environmental conservation by starting with personal actions, such as maintaining cleanliness, repurposing waste, disposing of trash properly, and correctly segregating waste types.
The establishment of the “Marine Conservation Waste Segregation Station” focused on sorting different types of waste before disposal into designated bins. Particular attention was given to segregating wet waste (food scraps and biodegradable materials) by draining liquids from containers and removing food residues before disposal. Wet waste can be repurposed as animal feed or composted into bio-fertilizers, while clean recyclable waste can be processed more efficiently. Hazardous waste was also segregated from general waste to prevent contamination. Proper waste segregation reduces the volume of general waste and facilitates appropriate disposal methods.
The campaign also raised awareness about the excessive use of single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, straws, cups, cutlery, and plates, encouraging behavioral changes towards using reusable items like cloth bags, personal water bottles, and personal food containers. These efforts aim to keep Walailak University clean and promote its status as a green university.
This activity represents student participation in promoting environmental sustainability, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and Goal 13: Climate Action. It also corresponds with the UI GreenMetric’s Waste (WS) criteria, which emphasize waste treatment and recycling activities as major factors in creating a sustainable environment.
