Addressing sustainability through waste management: a perspective from higher education institutions in Southeast Asia

Waste management is vital for global sustainable development. Sustainable development goals of a country would not be achieved if the waste management of a country is not given priority. Most institutes of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have established their unique role and responsibility in promoting an environmentally sustainable society. For higher education and research, the gains in the solid waste study offers opportunities for much needed capacity building contributing to sustainable waste management on a national scale. HEIs are chosen because of its characteristic which is similar to small city that consist of population whose activities can pose direct and indirect impacts towards environment. The objectives of this study are (i) to identify existing waste management practice (ii) to find out existing waste generation rate and composition (iii) to determine physical characteristics of waste (iv) to propose mitigation measures to manage waste in a sustainable manner through formulating a waste management policy at HEIs with a case study from HEIs in Brunei Darussalam in Southeast Asia. The methodology includes sampling of waste for its characterisation through waste audits, questionnaires, interviews to understand gaps in existing waste collection system, attitudes towards waste management options with focus on recycling, composting, landfill and incineration. The study finds that potentially recyclable materials account for 91% and the rest 9% comprise of organic waste suitable for composting. The largest number of recyclable items presence in the HEI is a good opportunity for the HEI to impose recycling program. It is believed that by having recycling program, the HEI could benefit in terms of budget spending in managing waste disposal. As for awareness, it is found that most of the respondents know what 3Rs means whereby, 74% of the respondents ranked the 3Rs as the first method or most preferable way to dispose waste. The sources of information related to 3Rs were followed by posters from public/university/school (45%), through local/national newspaper (37%) and through educational seminars and workshops (33%). An analysis of existing waste management system results into identification of gaps or weakness using SWOT analysis. Based on this, the relevant faculty/schools are identified who can address the weakness. Each faculty or school are assigned with relevant tasks based on the available expertise/knowledge domain. The Administrative Office of HEI can coordinate among various schools and faculty and liaison with private companies responsible for collection of waste and prepare a sustainable waste management policy aligned to national waste management strategies.