1. Purpose
Kalinga University is committed to promoting sustainable waste management and reducing the quantity of waste sent to landfills in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. The purpose of this policy is to minimize landfill-bound waste across the University campus through waste prevention, source segregation, reuse, recycling, composting, responsible procurement, and environmentally sound disposal practices.
This policy aims to reduce the University's environmental footprint, conserve natural resources, prevent unnecessary landfill disposal, and foster a culture of responsible waste management among students, faculty, staff, service providers, vendors, contractors, and visitors.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all academic departments, administrative offices, laboratories, libraries, hostels, cafeterias, guest houses, event venues, residential facilities, gardens, and all other University facilities.
It is applicable to students, faculty members, administrative staff, contractual employees, housekeeping personnel, vendors, service providers, contractors, and visitors participating in University activities.
3. Policy Objectives
The University shall strive to:
- Minimize the generation of waste requiring landfill disposal.
- Promote waste prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery.
- Ensure proper segregation of waste at the point of generation.
- Encourage composting and other suitable treatment methods for biodegradable waste.
- Promote responsible and environmentally sustainable procurement practices.
- Reduce unnecessary use of disposable and single-use materials.
- Encourage the use of reusable, recyclable, biodegradable, and durable alternatives.
- Ensure that recyclable materials are channelized to authorized recycling agencies wherever feasible.
- Promote awareness regarding landfill reduction and responsible waste management.
- Support national environmental initiatives and contribute towards achieving SDG 12.
4. Policy Guidelines
4.1 Waste Reduction at Source
- Departments and University facilities shall take measures to minimize waste generation at the source.
- Unnecessary purchase and use of disposable and single-use materials shall be discouraged.
- Reusable and durable products shall be preferred wherever practical.
- Digital communication shall be encouraged to reduce paper consumption and associated waste.
4.2 Waste Segregation
- Waste shall be segregated at the point of generation into appropriate categories such as biodegradable, recyclable, non-recyclable, and other designated waste streams.
- Clearly labelled waste collection bins shall be provided at appropriate locations.
- Mixing of recyclable and biodegradable waste with non-recyclable waste shall be discouraged.
- Departments and facility managers shall ensure proper collection and handling of segregated waste.
4.3 Biodegradable Waste Management
- Food waste, garden waste, and other biodegradable materials shall be separately collected wherever feasible.
- Composting or other suitable biological treatment methods shall be encouraged for biodegradable waste.
- The use of compost generated from organic waste may be encouraged for landscaping and gardening activities within the campus.
4.4 Recycling and Resource Recovery
- Recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and metals shall be collected separately.
- Recyclable waste shall be transferred to authorized recyclers or appropriate waste-management agencies wherever feasible.
- Departments shall encourage reuse of materials before disposal.
- The University shall promote resource recovery practices to reduce the volume of waste ultimately sent to landfills.
4.5 Non-Recyclable and Residual Waste
- Only residual waste that cannot reasonably be prevented, reused, recycled, recovered, or treated shall be considered for landfill disposal.
- Residual waste shall be collected and disposed of through appropriate authorized waste-management arrangements.
- Open dumping or burning of waste within the University premises shall not be permitted.
- Waste handling shall be undertaken in a manner that minimizes environmental pollution and risks to human health.
4.6 E-Waste and Special Waste
- Electronic waste shall be collected separately and shall not be mixed with general waste.
- E-waste and other special waste streams shall be handled through appropriate authorized channels.
- Batteries, electrical equipment, laboratory-related waste, and other materials requiring special handling shall be managed in accordance with applicable procedures and regulations.
4.7 Sustainable Procurement
- Preference shall be given to products that are reusable, recyclable, durable, biodegradable, or made from recycled materials.
- Procurement committees shall consider waste generation and end-of-life disposal while evaluating products and suppliers.
- Products with excessive or unnecessary packaging shall be avoided wherever feasible.
- Suppliers and vendors shall be encouraged to adopt environmentally responsible packaging and waste-reduction practices.
4.8 Meetings, Conferences and Events
- University events shall minimize the generation of landfill-bound waste.
- Reusable crockery, reusable cups, glass bottles, water dispensers, and other durable alternatives shall be encouraged.
- Unnecessary printed materials and disposable event materials shall be avoided wherever digital alternatives are feasible.
- Event organizers shall make suitable arrangements for waste segregation and collection.
4.9 Campus Food Services
- Cafeterias and food vendors operating within the campus shall be encouraged to minimize food and packaging waste.
- Reusable or biodegradable serving materials shall be preferred wherever feasible.
- Food waste shall be separately collected and channelized for appropriate treatment wherever possible.
- Vendors shall gradually reduce unnecessary disposable packaging.
4.10 Waste Audits and Landfill Reduction
- The University shall periodically assess waste-generation patterns through departmental reviews and waste audits.
- The quantity and major categories of waste generated may be monitored to identify opportunities for reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery.
- Departments shall be encouraged to adopt measures for progressively reducing the quantity of waste sent for landfill disposal.
4.11 Awareness and Capacity Building
- The University shall organize awareness programmes, workshops, campaigns, exhibitions, competitions, and student-led initiatives on waste reduction and landfill management.
- Information regarding this policy shall be disseminated through orientation programmes, notice boards, websites, and other appropriate communication platforms.
- Students, faculty, staff, vendors, and housekeeping personnel shall be encouraged to participate actively in waste-management initiatives.
5. Responsibilities
5.1 University Administration
- Approve and periodically review this policy.
- Allocate necessary resources for effective implementation.
- Promote institutional measures for waste reduction and sustainable waste management.
5.2 Purchase and Procurement Committee
- Ensure environmentally responsible procurement practices.
- Give preference to reusable, recyclable, durable, and environmentally friendly products.
- Consider packaging and end-of-life waste while evaluating products and suppliers.
5.3 Heads of Departments and Administrative Units
- Implement the policy within their respective departments and administrative units.
- Ensure appropriate segregation and collection of waste.
- Monitor compliance and encourage responsible waste-management practices.
5.4 Faculty, Staff and Students
- Minimize waste generation.
- Segregate waste appropriately at the point of generation.
- Reuse and recycle materials wherever possible.
- Avoid unnecessary disposable products.
- Participate actively in sustainability and waste-reduction initiatives.
5.5 Housekeeping Staff
- Collect segregated waste according to designated waste streams.
- Ensure that recyclable and biodegradable waste are not unnecessarily mixed.
- Maintain cleanliness of waste collection areas.
- Support the implementation of campus waste-management procedures.
5.6 Vendors and Contractors
- Comply with the University's waste-management and sustainability requirements.
- Minimize packaging and unnecessary waste generated through their activities.
- Supply environmentally responsible products and packaging wherever feasible.
- Cooperate with the University's waste segregation and reduction initiatives.
6. Monitoring and Compliance
The University shall periodically monitor the implementation of this policy through departmental reviews, waste audits, procurement records, waste-generation assessments, and sustainability evaluations.
The University may review the quantity and nature of waste generated and identify opportunities for reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Non-compliance may result in appropriate administrative action or revision of operational and procurement practices in accordance with University regulations.
7. Awareness and Engagement
Kalinga University shall regularly conduct awareness campaigns, training programmes, exhibitions, competitions, and outreach activities to encourage responsible waste-management practices among all stakeholders.
Departments shall be encouraged to observe relevant environmental events and promote sustainable lifestyle practices, waste reduction, recycling, reuse, and responsible resource utilization on campus.
Students and faculty members shall be encouraged to participate in campus cleanliness, waste-segregation, recycling, composting, and other landfill-reduction initiatives.
8. Policy Review
This policy shall come into effect in 2024 and shall be reviewed every three years, or earlier if required, to incorporate emerging waste-management practices, technological advancements, sustainability requirements, and applicable government regulations.
