Waste Measurement and Recycling Management Policy

1. Policy Statement

An-Najah National University (ANNU) is committed to responsible waste management through waste prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling, and the safe disposal of residual waste.

The University shall measure and record the amount of waste generated across its operations, including the quantities sent to landfill and recycled. Waste reused, composted, or managed through other treatment and disposal routes shall be recorded separately.

This policy establishes a university-wide framework for reliable waste measurement, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement in support of Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

2. Purpose

This policy aims to:

• Establish consistent procedures for measuring waste generated by University operations.

• Quantify the amount of waste sent to landfill and recycled.

• Record reuse, composting, and other treatment or disposal routes separately.

• Improve waste segregation and reduce the disposal of recoverable materials.

• Ensure that waste data are supported by traceable records.

• Inform waste reduction targets, operational decisions, and annual sustainability reporting.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all ANNU campuses, buildings, faculties, departments, laboratories, offices, student facilities, cafeterias, workshops, and other University-managed facilities.

It applies to students, employees, contractors, and service providers involved in generating, collecting, transporting, recycling, treating, or disposing of University waste.

Waste streams covered include:

• Paper and cardboard.

• Plastics, metals, and glass.

• Food waste, garden waste, and other organic materials.

• Electrical and electronic waste.

• General non-recyclable waste.

• Construction and demolition waste generated through University-managed projects.

• Chemical, medical, laboratory, and other hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste shall be managed under the University’s applicable hazardous waste policy and recorded separately within the institutional waste inventory.

4. Waste Management Principles

ANNU shall apply the following waste hierarchy:

1. Prevent unnecessary waste generation.

2. Reduce material consumption and waste.

3. Reuse materials wherever practicable.

4. Recycle suitable materials and compost suitable organic waste.

5. Use other appropriate recovery or treatment methods where applicable.

6. Dispose of residual waste safely through authorized routes.

Waste measurements shall reflect the recorded management destination. Materials placed in a recycling bin shall not automatically be counted as recycled without supporting collection or processing records.

5. Waste Segregation and Collection

The Facilities and Maintenance Department, in coordination with the Sustainability Office, shall:

• Provide clearly labelled collection containers appropriate to the waste streams generated.

• Arrange separate collection of recyclable materials, organic waste, general residual waste, and hazardous waste.

• Prevent mixing that could contaminate recyclable materials or create health and environmental risks.

• Coordinate collection schedules with relevant departments, municipalities, and service providers.

• Ensure that hazardous waste is stored and handled according to applicable safety requirements.

6. Measurement and Record-Keeping

6.1 Measurement Requirements

The University shall measure waste quantities using suitable weighing equipment at collection points or obtain documented weights from municipalities, recycling facilities, waste contractors, or treatment facilities.

Weights shall be recorded in kilograms and consolidated in metric tonnes for annual reporting.

Where direct weighing is unavailable, a documented estimation method may be used. Records shall identify:

• The waste stream and reporting period.

• The estimation method.

• Relevant conversion factors and assumptions.

• The reason direct weighing was unavailable.

Measured and estimated quantities shall be distinguishable in the records.

6.2 Waste Register

The University shall maintain a central waste register supported by records from individual campuses and facilities.

Each entry shall include, as applicable:

• Date or collection period.

• Originating campus or facility.

• Waste type.

• Net weight.

• Measurement method.

• Collector or service provider.

• Receiving facility or recorded destination.

• Management route: landfill, recycling, reuse, composting, or other treatment or disposal.

• Supporting document reference.

6.3 Supporting Evidence

Waste records shall be supported, where applicable, by:

• Weighing logs or weighbridge tickets.

• Collection receipts and transfer records.

• Recycling facility receipts or certificates.

• Municipal or contractor reports.

• Treatment and disposal documentation.

• Internal reuse and composting records.

Service agreements shall require waste providers to supply quantity and destination information relevant to the University’s reporting needs.

6.4 Data Quality and Double Counting

The Sustainability Office shall review waste records regularly for completeness, consistency, and accuracy.

Each waste quantity shall be assigned to one management route in the consolidated annual totals. Transfers between University facilities or between collection and processing stages shall not be counted as additional waste generation.

Materials rejected from recycling and subsequently sent to landfill shall be recorded under their final documented destination.

Where the destination cannot be verified, the quantity shall be recorded as unverified until clarification is obtained and shall not be claimed as recycled.

7. Annual Waste Reporting

ANNU shall prepare an annual waste performance report using a consistent reporting period and clearly defined institutional boundaries.

The report shall state absolute quantities in metric tonnes per year for:

• Total waste generated.

• Waste sent to landfill.

• Waste recycled.

• Waste reused.

• Waste composted.

• Waste managed through other treatment or disposal routes.

• Waste with an unverified destination, where applicable.

The report shall also include:

• A breakdown by waste stream and, where practicable, by campus.

• The proportion of total waste sent to landfill.

• The proportion of total waste recycled.

• Year-to-year trends.

• Measurement methods, estimates, and significant data limitations.

• Progress against institutional waste reduction and recycling targets.

The following calculations shall be used:

Landfill rate (%) = (Waste sent to landfill ÷ Total waste generated) × 100

Recycling rate (%) = (Waste recycled ÷ Total waste generated) × 100

Reuse and composting shall be reported separately. Where a combined waste diversion rate is presented, the report shall clearly identify the management routes included.

Absolute quantities and percentages shall use the same reporting period and institutional boundaries.

8. Roles and Responsibilities

Responsible entity	Responsibilities
Facilities and Maintenance Department	Organize segregation and collection; measure waste; maintain operational records; coordinate with municipalities and service providers.
Sustainability Office	Maintain the central waste inventory; verify and consolidate data; calculate indicators; prepare annual reports; coordinate improvement activities.
Deans, directors, and department heads	Ensure implementation within their facilities and provide complete waste information.
Laboratory and relevant safety personnel	Ensure safe handling and separate documentation of hazardous waste.
Contractors and service providers	Follow University requirements and provide documented waste quantities and destinations.
Students and employees	Segregate waste correctly and participate in waste prevention, reuse, and recycling activities.
University Sustainability Committee	Review performance, recommend corrective actions, and monitor progress against targets.

9. Training and Continuous Improvement

The University shall provide appropriate guidance and awareness activities on waste segregation, measurement, recycling, and responsible consumption.

Annual waste data shall be used to identify priority waste streams, improve collection arrangements, reduce contamination, and establish measurable improvement targets.

Data gaps and discrepancies shall be investigated, with corrective actions documented and followed up by the responsible offices.

10. Compliance and Transparency

Waste handling, transport, recycling, treatment, and disposal shall comply with applicable Palestinian environmental requirements ,  Waste Management Regulation, and University safety procedures.

The annual waste report shall be submitted to the Vice President for Administrative Affairs and the University Sustainability Committee. A summary shall be published through the University’s sustainability reporting channels.

11. Related Policies

This policy shall be read alongside the University’s:

• Sustainable Waste Management Policy

• Hazardous Waste Management Policy

12. Effective Date and Review

Effective Date: 12 October 2023
Review Date: 20 June 2025

This policy shall be reviewed every two years, or earlier where changes in legislation, University operations, waste management arrangements, or measurement methods require an update.

Subsequent amendments shall be documented with their actual approval dates.