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Institutional Solid Waste Management Practices: A Case Study in Jigme Namgyel Engineering College
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A college campus in Bhutan produces about 170 grams of trash per person daily, mostly food scraps, paper, and plastic — and poor sorting and overflowing bins mean this waste often ends up polluting the environment and releasing methane and other gases that contribute to climate change. This matters beyond one campus: if institutions like schools don't improve recycling and waste separation, local landfills could fill up within the next couple decades, worsening pollution and health risks for surrounding communities.
Solid waste management in Bhutan has become a significant environmental concern with considerable social and economic implications. As the country experiences rapid urbanization and economic development, the generation of solid waste has increased, placing strain on existing waste management systems. This situation necessitates an investigation and response to the challenges faced by institutional solid waste management practices nationwide. Waste management in Bhutan's schools and colleges encounters critical difficulties. Inadequate waste segregation, limited recycling infrastructure, and low awareness among students contribute to poor waste management practices. Furthermore, overflowing bins, improper waste handling, and insufficient institutional policies lead to environmental pollution and health hazards. Therefore, this study was conducted to characterize and quantify solid waste generation at Jigme Namgyel Engineering College (JNEC). The research focused on identifying potential technological and infrastructural interventions to enhance waste management practices within the campus. The study determined a per capita waste generation rate of 170g per day. Waste characterization revealed that organic waste (wet waste) constituted the largest proportion at 35%, followed by paper waste at 19.09% and plastic waste at 24.24%. Over a six-month period, approximately 4.5 metric tons (Mg) of dry waste and 6 metric tons (Mg) of wet waste were collected. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions originating from waste generated within the campus were modeled using LANDGEM. The results indicated total greenhouse gas emissions amounted to 3472 cubic meters per year. This included 1736 cubic meters of methane, 1736 cubic meters of carbon dioxide, and 8.33 cubic meters of non-methane organic compounds (NMOC) emitted annually. Based on an estimated monthly generation of 617.74 kg of dry waste and 838.92 kg of wet waste solely from JNEC, the existing municipal landfill is projected to reach its maximum capacity by the year 2040.
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