Mahidol University has set waste management policy and by defining the scope of waste management into five categories: general waste, recyclable waste, compostable waste, community hazardous waste, and infectious waste to cover both common areas and working areas, to create an effective waste management and good environment, striving to be a green university, consistent with sustainable development goals (SDGs). The guidelines are as follow.
General was is usually hard to compost and unrecyclable, or not cost-effective for recycling such as snack package, plastic bags, Styrofoam boxes, plastic straws, etc. However, the university provides 22 trash sites throughout the campus. The general waste management of Mahidol University, Salaya is under the responsibility of Salaya Municipality in terms of collecting and composting.
Recyclable waste includes paper, glass, plastic, aluminum, and metal. Mahidol University has set policies on the promotion of plastic reduction and styrofoam prohibition, as well as promoting waste sorting which could lead to a systematic waste management for the university through waste trade under Recyclable Waste Bank project. Students, personnel, and general people can participate in the project.
Compostable waste is easily composed garbage including organic matters, food scraps, etc. In order to effectively manage waste, compostable waste from activities of the university would be materials to produce organic fertilizer and bio-extracted ferment which helps reducing the organic waste of the university while adding value to the waste.
Used materials, deteriorated products, and contaminated waste with compositions of hazardous substances fit in this category, as well as toxic, flammable, corrosive chemicals, radioactive substances, and pathogenic substances hazardous for living organisms and environment. There is a large amount of community hazardous waste in the campus, e.g. batteries, phones, fluorescent lights, painting cans, and spraying cans. The mentioned hazardous waste can cause harm or contaminate the environment both during storage, transportation, and disposal. The university has separated this category of general waste to pass it to related organizations for disposal.
Infectious waste contains germ that, if contacted in certain amount or concentration, may cause diseases. Mahidol University, Salaya has set a guideline for infectious waste disposal as shown below.
