Sustainable Waste Management Policy

Policy Statement

This Sustainable Waste Management Policy is an integral component of An-Najah National University's broader sustainability framework. It is designed to minimize the environmental footprint of the university by reducing waste, promoting recycling, and ensuring that all waste materials, including plastics, paper, glass, and metals, are disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. The university is committed to reducing its reliance on raw materials, maximizing the reuse and recycling of materials, and minimizing the amount of waste sent to landfill. Our waste management efforts will not only meet but exceed legislative and regulatory requirements, reflecting our commitment to sustainability.

Purpose

An-Najah National University acknowledges its responsibility to address both global and local environmental challenges. The university generates considerable waste through its academic, research, and operational activities. This policy aims to prevent the generation of waste whenever possible, reduce the volume of waste produced, and ensure that any waste is reused or recycled to minimize its impact on the environment. This approach aligns with our goal of achieving a circular economy within the campus, where materials are continually repurposed, reducing the need for new resources and minimizing landfill contributions.

Minimization of Plastic Use: As part of our commitment to sustainability, An-Najah National University has implemented specific measures to minimize the use of plastics across all campus operations. These measures include reducing the purchase and consumption of single-use plastics, promoting the use of alternatives such as reusable containers and biodegradable materials, and encouraging campus-wide initiatives aimed at plastic waste reduction.

Scope

This policy applies to all members of the An-Najah community, including students, researchers, faculty, staff, visitors, contractors, and vendors. It encompasses all waste generated on campus, including academic, research, administrative, residential, and recreational activities.

Definitions

• Electronic waste (e-waste): Discarded electronic devices at the end of their useful life. These devices often contain hazardous materials and sensitive data, requiring regulated disposal methods.
• Hazardous waste: Waste that poses a potential risk to health, safety, or the environment, including chemical, radioactive, and infectious materials.
• Municipal solid waste: Common everyday items discarded as trash or garbage, including packaging, food scraps, clothing, and household items.
• Non-research area: Areas on university property that do not involve teaching or research laboratories.
• Specially-regulated waste: A subset of hazardous waste that is subject to specific disposal regulations, such as medical waste, asbestos, and used solvents.
• Universal waste: Hazardous waste that is commonly generated, including batteries, pesticides, and mercury-containing equipment.

Principles

1. Ensure that all waste management practices comply with current legislative requirements and anticipate future regulations to mitigate potential impacts in line with the Environmental Sustainability Policy.
2. Prioritize the minimization of waste generation at its source and promote the repair, reuse, and recycling of materials over disposal, whenever cost-effective, to support the Environmental Sustainability Policy and Strategy.
3. Implement strategies to reduce plastic consumption across campus operations, including the reduction of single-use plastics and the promotion of sustainable alternatives.
4. Clearly define and assign roles and responsibilities for each stage of the waste management process to ensure effective coordination and accountability across the university.
5. Foster a culture of environmental awareness across the campus community by promoting waste minimization, reuse, and recycling in alignment with the university's sustainability goals.
6. Seek opportunities to generate revenue from recyclable materials, with funds reinvested into expanding and enhancing sustainable waste management initiatives on campus.
7. Ensure the safe and secure handling, storage, and transportation of all waste materials on campus, and implement robust systems to measure and track waste generation, recycling rates, and landfill contributions.
8. Provide comprehensive training on waste management practices to all stakeholders, including staff, students, and contractors, to ensure adherence to the university's sustainability standards.
9. Adopt and implement industry best practices in waste management, and continuously seek to improve waste management processes in line with the university's commitment to environmental sustainability.

Effective Date: October 12, 2016

Review Date: Jun 26, 2024