Waste
Waste Management in Mahidol Campus
Mahidol University has set waste management policy and waste management guideline that apply to both common areas and working areas, in order to build an effective waste management and a good environment, with the goal of becoming a green university in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university has defined the scope of waste into five categories including solid waste, recyclable waste, compostable waste, household hazardous waste, and infectious waste.
Percentage of waste generation in Mahidol University in 2024
The amount of waste generated in Mahidol University
| Types of Waste | Amount of waste (Tons) | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||
| General waste | 3,341.72 | |
| Recyclable waste | 1,030.46 | |
| • Yard waste | 473.14 | |
| • Food waste | 354.71 | |
| • Packaging and others | 202.61 | |
| Infectious waste | 707.25 | |
| Electronic waste | 2.53 | |
| Hazardous waste | 13.57 | |
| Other waste | 1.81 | |
| Total | 5,097.35 | |
1. Solid waste
Solid waste 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 garbage disposal point all around the campus and provide 6 garbage collection points in common areas to serve as collection point from buildings in university. Furthermore, the institution will collect waste everyday in the early morning to avoid the accumulation of excessive amounts of garbage, which could result in leachate or disease-carrying animals. The Salaya Municipality will be in charge of transferring the waste to a landfill or disposal facility.
2. Recyclable waste
Recyclable waste can be processed and used again such as paper, glass, plastic, aluminum, and metal. In addition, Mahidol University has set the policy on the promotion of plastic reduction and Styrofoam prohibition, as well as promoting waste separation which could lead to a systematic waste management for the university through waste trade under the project on Recyclable Waste Bank which students, staff, and general people can participate.
3. Organic Waste or Biodegradable Waste
Organic waste, or biodegradable waste, refers to waste that can decompose easily, such as branches and leaves. To ensure efficient waste management, the biodegradable waste generated from the university's activities is used as raw material for producing organic soil conditioner, known as "Salaya Humus".
The production of this organic soil conditioner involves shredding the raw materials and subjecting them to a fermentation process for approximately 1 month. After fermentation, the material is sun-dried, finely ground, and left to rest for 3 days before being used or packaged. Management of organic waste within the university not only helps reduce waste volume and the need for incineration, but also adds value to the waste by converting it into a beneficial product. This approach reduces the cost of maintaining green spaces and generates revenue for the university.
In addition, food waste from cafeterias and food waste bins inside buildings is collected and sold to local farmers to be used as livestock feed for pigs or fish. This approach contributes to reducing waste sent to landfills while benefiting livestock farming.
4. Household hazardous waste
Household hazardous waste refers to used materials, deteriorated products, and contaminated that contain elements of hazardous materials or substances that are toxic, flammable, corrosive, radioactive, or pathogenic to living organisms and the environment. There is a large amount of community hazardous waste on the campus such as batteries, cellphone batteries, fluorescent tubes, paint buckets, and spray cans and so on. The mentioned hazardous waste can cause harm or contaminate the environment during storage, transportation, and disposal. The university has isolated this type of general waste to be disposed of by other entities.
5. Infectious waste
Infectious waste is defined as waste contaminated with germs in sufficient quantity or concentration to cause disease. The following guidelines for infectious waste disposal have been established by Mahidol University, Salaya.
