Designing Sustainable Consumption and Production Systems in Higher Education Institutions: The Case of Solid Waste Management

Abstract

The vast potentialities for higher education institutions (HEIs) in designing and implementing sustainable consumption and production systems need to be developed in this age of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To further elucidate this argument, various studies show that the material recovery potential of discarded solid wastes in universities is more than 50 %. Focus is given in Philippine HEIs, wherein recoverable solid wastes were identified in faculty rooms of three HEIs in Baguio City, Philippines, using a waste assessment and characterization survey (WACS). Results show that around 90 % of solid wastes in faculty rooms are potentially recoverable, as residual wastes only account 6–11 %. It is projected that 75,968 kg/day of solid wastes are generated annually in Philippine HEI faculty rooms alone, and around $537.66 can be monetized from recoverable wastes in such rooms per campus per school year. The untapped monetary equivalents of recoverable solid wastes should prompt partnerships between HEIs and recycling and or manufacturing companies, local government, non-profits, and non-government organizations to recover and monetize reusable and recyclable wastes. Such arrangements would eventually close material consumption and production loops not only in the Philippines but also in an ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) or global scale, and therefore reduce resource footprints generated by educational institutions.