Recycling of solid wastes in UNO-R

Abstract

This special problem is about recycling of solid wastes in a university level, which necessitates the involvement of the faculty and staff, and especially the students. The study was carried out on January to September 2005 at the University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos. This involved the description and analysis of the existing solid waste management system of UNO-R, the identification of recyclable wastes, and the planning methods on how to handle, segregate, and recover these wastes. Great emphasis is placed on the processing of wastes by recycling. This is in view of the fact that it is in this area that students can apply their knowledge in exploring ways to devise steps on how recover valuable things from wastes, apply their engineering knowledge to make new products, and find uses of these products. In general, this study aims to put forward a project that can contribute to the waste reduction program of the government by minimizing the volume of garbage collected by the Department of Public Services from the university disposal site and to promote awareness to the university population about their responsibility in caring for the earth. This recycling project is in line with the university’s “Ecological Solid Waste Management Project” which was initiated by the University Environmental Council. The solid waste management project was delayed due to the reshuffling of department heads, deans, and administrators. But in spite of that, methods for the management of wastes were successfully developed, valuable wastes such as PETE bottles were separated and recovered in offices, some recycling processes, especially paper and biodegradable materials recycling were actually performed by students and products were showcased for public awareness. A simple wastewater treatment process for the Materials Recovery Facility was also presented. Moreover, valuable substances in wastes were identified, its characteristics and methods of processing were effectively described, and its products after recycling were presented. With these results, a great reason is given for the solid waste management project to push through. Indeed, a recycling project is a very timely and appropriate move towards environmental restoration. However, this entails cooperation from all sectors of the society because whatever effort of managing waste cannot totally solve a great habit of carelessly disposing the same. The best solution to this worldwide problem is to combine “prevention” with “cure”. Properly manage and recycle the present waste - that is a cure. Minimize production of wastes by green engineering, use of recyclable and biodegradable materials, and reuse things as much as possible - this is prevention.