Transforming Waste Disposal at Adamson University: Establishing and Implementing

Waste Management System for Reduction of Waste Accumulation.

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL PRESENTED TO

CODE GREEN FOR CAMPUSES: Call for Innovation for a Decarbonized and Regenerative

Future

BY:

CANLAS, AARON JOSEF

CASTRO, ALIYAH JOSEF

CONVOCAR, FRANCINE JOY

FLORA, TIMOTHY JOSH

A.Y. 2023-2024
 Transforming Waste Disposal at Adamson University:

Establishing and Implementing Waste Management System

for Reduction of Waste Accumulation.

Introduction

With the rapid growth of population, solid waste management has become a hot issue to

be faced by educational institutions worldwide, particularly universities. Being the center of

knowledge, innovation, and societal progress of the future generation, the role they play is

crucial to promote sustainable practices not just for the students but also to the staff and faculties

(Morrow, 2019). However, despite their commitment to promoting sustainable practices, a lot of

universities still generate tons of solid waste every day. According to Casinbang (2018), the De

la Salle University Manila Campus produces 1,017.74 kg of waste per day. Moreover, the

hazardous waste mixed with the solid waste despite supposed segregation, which can cause

environmental hazards not just within the University community but also to the people living

around the area. The inability to address these difficulties can contribute more to the problem of

solid waste accumulation as well as it reflects the inability of institutions to promote

sustainability practices and lack of commitment in reducing the waste (Boone et al., 2017).

Solid waste management encompasses the collection, disposal, and recycling of various

types of waste generated within university campuses, including paper, plastics, food waste, and

electronic equipment (Byjus, 2018). Despite the clear definition of waste management, the

Adamson University still fails to properly manage their waste as observed by predominantly
plastic based/plastic lined garbage from canteens always filling up garbage containers making it

moot to have different colored containers for segregation. These wastes are simply handed off to

garbage collectors with little to no information on how they are handled once they reach their

destination.

Inadequate infrastructure and resources are the primary reasons for the failure of the

proper waste management system of an educational institution (Senate Economic Planning

Office, 2017). Moreover, the failure of ineffective waste management practice can be traced back

to budget constraints and financial capabilities of the administration, thus hindering the

investments for much better infrastructure upgrade (Lehne et al., 2020). Just like with other

universities, Adamson University also faces these challenges when it comes to managing their

waste disposal.

Furthermore, the problem of improper waste disposal can also be attributed to the lack of

awareness and engagement among students, faculty, and staff (Kaza et al., 2018). As a result of

this lack of awareness, it leads to behaviors such as improper sorting of recyclables,

contamination of waste streams, and disregard for established waste management protocols.

According to Preffer, et. al (2010), while both student and facility employees have awareness of

waste management importance in Adamson University, few of them truly practice basic

segregation and disposal. However, as the result of the lack of supervision of waste management,

the sheer volume of non-biodegradable wastes used by simple product purchase skyrocketed

inside the university. The waste management problem is still prevalent today and very much seen

in the campus.
 By reading existing studies and analyzing approaches made by different universities, this

paper aims to establish a proper system that will solve the underlying failed solid waste

management in Adamson University, offering insights into solid waste characterization and

identifying the biggest contributor of waste inside campus. The paper also wants to create a solid

foundation for the University to adapt in managing solid waste accumulation and implement the

said policy inside the campus.

Goals of the Study

Generally, this study aims to establish a system that the university can adapt to reduce solid

waste accumulation.

Specifically, this study seeks to address the following:

● Identification of the types of solid wastes found in the university.

● Identification solid wastes sources in the university and the biggest contributor.

● Creation of a solid waste reduction system or policy for the university to adapt.

● Evaluation of the effectiveness of the created system or policy on specific colleges or

departments.

● Implementation of the system or modified template to specific areas of concern in the

university.

Review of Related Literature

Solid waste is classified as discarded materials from daily activities in the community

considered to be unnecessary (Mishra, 2014). In this context, various solid wastes generated by

higher level institutions are identified as food wastes, paper waste, disposable plastic items, glass

waste generated from glasswares in laboratories, electronic wastes, green waste, and hazardous

wastes (Surendra, 2023).

 Some factors that contribute to the mismanagement of solid waste in the Philippines are

the lack of sanitary landfills especially around the areas that are considered as the major waste

generating zones. In addition, the lack of regular waste collection services in the urban areas

contribute to accumulation of wastes that results in improper methods of waste disposal such as

littering and incineration. Moreover, laxity and poor governance towards waste management led

to noncompliance with the said methods (Coracero, 2021).

In order to have a well-structured system in implementing solid waste reduction policies,

goals should be clearly defined and the scope of the policy must be assessed. In addition,

assessing direct and indirect factors in waste generation are vital. Moreover, addressing the

importance of the mass balance principle to create an impartial assessment to evaluate the

implemented policy (Allesch & Brunner, 2014).

Methodology:

Due to the lack of a proper waste management system within the university, the

researchers intend to use action research and quantitative design. This research method will help

in the gathering of data for the formulation of an effective waste management system in the

university and to test their effectiveness before implementation proper.

Online surveys using Microsoft forms and field assessment experiments will be used to

obtain quantitative data of solid waste volume by type, solid waste sources contributor and the

creation and effectiveness of the system or policy. Data analysis will be conducted using

descriptive statistics.

Purposive sampling will be used to obtain primary data from sample population and

location of concern of the research. Respondents will be chosen from students, cafeteria and

maintenance employees of the university.

 Lastly, the researchers would like to explore the proposal of four programs for the

reduction of solid waste within the university canteens. First is the replacement of single use

containers and utensils with compostable products from a direct supplier. Advantages of said

products are presented in a study by Pilla (2011) stating production of bioplastics consume less

energy in their production whereas Liu, et. al. (2020) highlights their biodegradability and

compostable nature resulting in lesser carbon emission. Next is the implementation of a

container based composting program for the onset of compostable products. According to

Ayilara, et. al. (2020), the benefits of composting can be valuable in reducing the wastes that are

simply sent to landfills and thus reduce carbon emission. Third is the purchase of utensils and

plates that may be lent out to students in the condition they return them clean. Finally,

incentivizing students who bring their own containers and tumblers a 5 pesos reduction in their
purchases. Other details of enforcement are yet to be identified and will need more data. The

planned system/policy template is shown below.

Timeline:
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Accessed 9 Feb. 2024.