Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems for Environmental Sustainability at Institutional Level – Case Study

Solid waste menace is a serious, complex and challenging concern all over the World especially in developing countries where environmental protection has often been neglected in the haste to achieve economic development resulting in pollution, sanitation problems, intensified urban congestion and resource depletion. Conversely, solid waste if managed properly can be a resource to create energy, to local small scale industries which are involved in recycling as well as to poor people of the community like rag pickers etc. Therefore we have to identify a strategic way of addressing this problem and social concerns attached to it.  Concepts such as appropriate technology, cleaner practices, life cycle assessment, effective environmental management systems as well as creating community awareness and enforcement of the guidelines can be useful for improving how solid waste management is approached. Since the magnitude of issues related to solid waste varies with location and time, area specific studies need to be carried out to derive management plans adequate to the region.

In the present study, an attempt has been made to do the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) of JSS Academy of Technical Education (Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Academy of Technical Education), an apex educational institute situated in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India .It was found that not only 70% reduction in the waste to be transported and disposed by land filling can be achieved but also revenue can be generated  out of recycling which can compensate for the cost of segregation of waste. Nutrient rich compost obtained from the bio-degradable compost can be utilized in college lawns making the whole process self – sustainable. During the study a survey was also conducted among the college community to evaluate their awareness regarding environmental issues which showed that majority of people are ready to embrace and support environmental friendly ways to make the institute environmentally sustainable. If these practices are adopted as institute culture in form of Integrated Solid Waste Management System (ISWMS).