Solid Waste Minimisation Strategies: The First Step Towards Greening a

University Campus
Noor Rizallinda Ishak1*, Siti Akhtar Mahayuddin2
1

Faculty of Architecture Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak

32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
noorr399@perak.uitm.edu.my
2
Faculty of Architecture Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak,
Kampus Kota Samarahan 1, Jalan Meranek, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
sitia880@sarawak.uitm.edu.my

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 re-use
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 minimisation
could be planned by the University's administration. To conclude, this paper will recommend waste
minimisation strategies, i.e., Environmental Management & Improvement (EMI) Community participation and
social responsibility as the first step towards greening the university campus.

Keywords: Greening campus, Solid waste management, UiTM Perak, Waste minimization , Waste generation

1.

Introduction

Greening influences every aspect of human culture which has impacts on the economic, the
environment and daily lives. With the increasing concerns on different environmental issues and a
need to respond climate change, universities should create knowledge and integrate sustainability in
educational and research programs, as well as promoting environmental issues to the society. In
addition, a university campus can be considered as a small town because of its large size, population
and the various activities taking place in the campus (Alshuwaikhat and Abubakar, 2008).
Management of environmental resources in the university campus capable of giving long-term effects
on the institutions themselves and society as a whole. Green university efforts have been engaged in
many universities and made significant progress including improved environmental performance,
enhance public awareness and cost reduction on campus maintenance.
Universities would be expected to be a role model or a leader towards responsible waste
management. In order to achieve sustainability in an institution, the greatest challenge is a
comprehensive solid waste management (SWM) programs. Effective SWM programs require a
complete understanding of the composition of the waste stream as well as the activities that determine
its generation in the first place (Farmer et al., 1997). Examining waste by generation source is
particularly important, as the characteristics and composition of solid waste vary according to its
source (Tchobanoglous et al., 1996). Therefore, SWM programs that are based on source generation
found to be far more successful than other programs (Armijo de Vega et al., 2008).
Another key element of comprehensive solid waste management is the understanding of the
waste management hierarchy. The waste management hierarchy helps in the protection of the
environment and conserve resources. This can be achieved through a priority approach established in
waste policy, legislation and sustainability (Hansen, W. et al.2012). The waste management hierarchy
shows the order of preference or priority for action to reduce and manage waste. The hierarchy
captures the progression of the material through successive stages of waste management and

represents the latter part of the life-cycle for each material. (United Nations Environmental Program,
2013). The aim of the waste management hierarchy is to exploit the maximum practical benefits from
materials and to minimize the generation of waste. The proper application of the waste management
hierarchy results in several benefit such as prevention of green gases emissions, reduction in
pollutants, energy saving, conserves resources and stimulate the development of green technologies.
A study on characterization of municipal waste provide local decision makers with a detailed
understanding of the waste stream and enable waste management programs to be tailored to local
needs (Chang and Davila, 2008). Therefore, the waste characterization studies at colleges and
universities gives specific opportunities for waste reduction and recycling which an essential step
towards greening the campus (Keniry, 1995; Creighton, 1998). Waste characterization studies in the
University campus able to generate administrative support, cooperation among students, faculty and
staff and inspire further involvement in campus sustainability issues (Sharp, 2002; Beringer et al.,
2008). Moreover, proper waste management would bring benefits to the institutions such as financial
reduction. Therefore, this paper presents the current status of solid waste generation and disposal in
Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak and also the waste minimization strategies towards green
University Campus.

2.

Method

Various approaches have been adopted to identify the amount, location, and characteristics of
a waste stream (Thompson and van Bakel, 1995; Yu and Maclaren, 1995; Dowie et al., 1998; Felder
et al., 2001; Mason et al., 2003; Dahlen et al., 2007). The approaches include reviewing waste
management records, visual waste assessments, interviewing waste management staff and
extrapolating data from other institutions (Ashwood et al., 1995; Yu and Maclaren, 1995; Creighton,
1998). However, direct waste analyses or waste characterization studies is the most effective process
for examining the various wastes generated and identifying opportunities for waste reduction, reuse,
recycling, and composting (Thompson and Wilson, 1994; Thompson and van Bakel, 1995).
Therefore, the study on solid waste in UiTM (Perak) campus was conducted in two stages: (1)
sampling and characterization of solid waste and (2) data collection, recording and analysis.
2.1

Sampling and Characterization of Solid Waste

Presently, the management of solid waste in UiTM (Perak) is controlled and managed by the
Department of Facilities Management of UiTM (Perak). Relevant information regarding current solid
waste management were gathered from this department and the appointed waste contractor through an
interview. Among the information gathered were on the method of waste collection, contractor
involved, location and capacity of the bin and the availability of the recycle bin. From this
information, a waste audit was designed to sample and characterize the solid waste in the selected
building of UiTM (Perak).
In this study, a waste audit was conducted at hostel block only because major quantity of solid
waste was produced by the students. The selected blocks were Angsana, Bidara, Cemara and Damar
which located at Zone 3 (refer Fig. 1).

ZONE 3

Figure 1. Location of the waste audit was conducted (Zone 3)

All the blocks' building is identical in terms of the floor level and layout. The Angsana and
Bidara blocks are a female's hostel. Meanwhile, Cemara and Damar are a male's hostel. Every block
has four level. There are approximately thirteen (13) bins located at each level. Ten (10) of the bins
are located along the corridor in front of the student's room, and 3 of them is located near the staircase
for each level. There are a total of 415 existing bin for all four colleges Damar, Cemara, Bidara and
also Angsana. Meanwhile, the total number of rooms in the four blocks are 1,002 which accommodate
3,498 students.
During the waste audit, only two bins that located near the stairs were selected for sampling at
each level. For level 1, the ID sample was labeled as T1 and T2. For level 2, the ID sample was
labeled as T3 and T4. Meanwhile for level, the ID sample was labeled as T5 and T6. Lastly, for level
4 the ID sample was labeled as T7 and T8. The waste audit for every sample at each block was
conducted for six consecutive days (excluding Sunday) which align with the frequency of waste
collection by the waste contractors. For sampling purposes, the solid waste was classified as paper,
aluminum, glass, plastic, food waste, e-waste, clinical waste and others and listed in a standard form.
Waste from every sample was manually sorted according to its categories. All the sorted waste from
every sample was weighed using a standard weighing scale with a sensitivity of 0.1kg. Then, data was
recorded in a standard form for analysis.
2.2

Data Collection, Recording and Analysis

All the recorded data were computed in standard spreadsheet for waste analysis. The waste
collection rate of each bin had been calculated using Equation 1. Then the total waste collected in this
study was calculated by using Equation 2. Later the percentage by weight for every waste category
from the total waste was calculated. The percentage produced the waste composition according to the
weight. The waste generation rate per students in the studied hostel block also had been determined.
1) Waste collection rate = Total waste weighed (kg) / No. of sample (bin)
(1)
2) Total waste collected = Collection rate (kg/bin/day) x No.of bins provided
(2)

3.

Finding and Discussion

3.1

Waste Characterization
UiTM (Perak) has appointed three contractors to collect and dispose of all the waste in the
campus. All the contractors are in charge in three different zones. The frequency of the collection is
once a day for six days from Monday until Saturday. All the waste from the hostel blocks is then
transferred to a temporary collection area nearby a parking lot before sent to a nearby municipal
dumpsite. A one tonne lorry and a five tonne lorry are used to transport the collected waste.
The waste audit at four hostel blocks produced results as shown in Table 1. There were 192
samples from all the blocks with a total waste of 765.43kg. The highest waste quantity was 245.95 kg
recorded in Angsana Block. This was followed by Bidara Block and Damar Block with waste
quantity estimated at 232.49kg and 172.30kg respectively. Meanwhile, the lowest waste quantity was
recorded in Cemara Block.
Angsana block was the last block being audited which was at the fourth week of the study.
Coincidently, the audit at this block fell on the end of the semester. All the students need to clear
their hostel before going off for semester holiday. This activity include disposed of off their
unwanted belongings which contribute more waste at this block. The highest category of waste found
at Angsana block was papers from students' projects such as assignments, notes, drawings and
models. There were also newspaper, corrugated cardboard, boxboard, and also, mixed paper found.
The result also shows that male's hostel produced more waste than a female's hostel. Therefore, it can
be concluded that males are the major contributor for waste disposal. The solid waste found at the
males' hostel are papers, aluminium can and also glass drinking bottle.
Table 1. Waste Sample for Studied Hostel Block
Waste
Angsana
Bidara
Cemara
Damar
TOTAL

Total Sample (6 days)

48
48
48
48
192

Total Waste (kg)

245.95
232.49
114.69
172.30
765.43

Table 2 below shows the types and composition by weight of solid waste collected in Zone 3
hostel area. The highest composition of waste was food waste with a percentage of 48.30%, followed
by paper (30.90%) and plastic (9.01%). Meanwhile, the lowest composition of waste was clinical
waste (0.64%). Food waste found to be the highest composition as the students having meals (packed
food) in their hostels. They threw away the leftovers to the bins. The high composition of food waste
is influenced by the student lifestyle of buying packed food instead of having their meals at the stall or
restaurant. Normally students buy packed food from the night market nearby UiTM (Perak), which
held every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. They prefer buying food from the night market as the
food is cheaper and more varieties.
Table 2. Composition (% by wt) of Solid Waste Generated in Zone 3 Hostel Area
Types
Paper
Alumunium
Glass
Plastic
Food Waste
e-waste
Clinical waste
Others
TOTAL

Weight (kg/day)
236.54
25.59
9.11
69.00
369.70
6.09
4.90
44.50
765.43

Percentage (%)
30.90
3.34
1.19
9.01
48.30
0.80
0.64
5.81
100.00

3.2

Waste Generation and Collection

The total amount of waste sampled in this study was 765.43kg. By using equation 1, the
collection rate for each bin provided in the hostel block found to be 4 kg/bin/day (refer Table 1). The
total number of bins provided by the Department of Facilities Management of UiTM (Perak) for every
block is shown in Table 3. Therefore, the estimated quantity of total waste collected at the four
blocks was 1,660kg per day. During this study, there were 3,498 students' reside in Zone 3 hostel.
Thus, the waste generation rate for a hostel in Zone 3 found to be 0.47kg per student per day.
Table 3. Total waste Collected At Zone 3 Hostel Area

4.

Block

Total no of bins

Angsana
Bidara
Cemara
Damar
TOTAL

97
104
110
104

Collection rate
(kg/bin/day)
4
4
4
4

Total Collection
(kg/day)
388
416
440
416
1660

Waste minimisation strategies

The findings from this study produced the necessary information to formulate practical and
economical strategies for waste minimization. It was estimated that the UiTM (Perak) campus
produces at least 1.6 tonne of solid waste per day. More than 44% of these wastes are recyclables or
potentially recyclable. This is shown in Table 1 that within the total waste generated in the hostel
blocks, the category of paper represent the larger percentage (30.90%) of recyclable waste in the
hostel. Thus, a segregation and recycling program is feasible in this campus. Therefore, this paper
proposes two solid waste minimisation strategies that could be implemented in UiTM (Perak) as a
first step towards greening the campus as shown in Figure 2.
Environmental Management &
Improvement (EMI)

Community participation and

social responsibility

Reduce
Re-use
Recycling

Waste management
awareness programme
Food composting

Waste minimisation
strategies
Figure 2. Waste minimisation strategies
The first strategy is environmental management and improvement (EMI) which will focus on
the minimisation of waste produced by the university's member. With regards to the waste
management hierarchy, the most effective way to reduce waste is to not produce it in the first place.
In fact, the reduction and reuse are the top priority to save natural resources, protect the environment
and save money. Recycling also can benefit the community and the environment as it is the process of
collecting and processing materials into new products. Unfortunately, this study found that the
provided recyle bins at every hostel blocks were underutilized as little quantity of recyclable waste
was found in the bins. The location of the recycle bins near the staircase at the ground floor level of

the hostel block is not easily reached by the students who stay at higher floor. This situation might
hold back their intention to sort and send recyclable waste to the recycle bins. Therefore, the bins
should be relocated to a more accessible area to facilitate and encourage students to sort and recycle
waste.
The second strategy is community participation and social responsibility which focus on the
waste management awareness programme and food composting. Full coorperation and participations
from community in the campus are very important to make this strategy a success. There is a need to
put more effort into raising community members' awareness. In addition, knowledge and awareness
on waste sorting and recycling should be a major input in the awareness programme. This can be
achieved by awareness campaign emphasized on the considerable change in the attitude and
perception of the community in the campus towards solid waste management. Hopefully with the
raised awareness it will inevitably change the their habit and also behavior towards good solid waste
management practice. This paper also recommends food waste composting to be conducted
enormously at the hostel block as food waste accounted to 48.30% which was the highest composition
of waste collected. The compost from the organic material or food can be used as fertilizer in the
campus. Currently, there is 20-30% of waste are from food scraps and yard waste. Therefore,
composting these waste should become a regular practice in the campus. Producing fertilizer from
this compost can save cost on maintaining a garden in the campus. In addition, this practice will
prevent these materials enter the landfill which can later release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

5.

Conclusion

Through a waste audit at four student's hostel, this study has quantified the amount and
composition of solid waste generated. Therefore, practical and economical strategies for waste
minimization could be planned by the University's administration. Besides that, the generation rate
from this study also can be used to make projections of total waste generated for the whole hostel
area. Hence, it is suggested that the university must give encouragement, educates and awareness to
its students in order to minimize waste and also improve recycling effort. The two main waste
minimization strategies proposed in this paper are essential in promoting sustainable behaviour and
attitudes of the campus community. Hopefully, the outcomes and recommendations from this study
would beneficial to the university.

6.

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Universiti Teknologi MARA (Perak), Excellence Fund for providing
the research grant 600-KPK(PJI.5/2/2/4) (94)

7.

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