Company: ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY - LS
Country: Philippines
Project Name: Waste to Resource Conversion at the Loyola Schools (LS), Ateneo de Manila University
Category: Environment
Website:
Objective:
The project aimed to reduce solid waste generated on campus by current practices (through the existing environment-related policies and guidelines); creating waste treatment systems within the campus; creating a resource recovery system for separating recyclables; and involving the ENTIRE LS community in these endeavors.
Details of the project:
The Ateneo Environmental Science Society conducted a general waste audit of the LS garbage in January 2008. Its findings elicited a community-wide response that led to a shift towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible lifestyle. It also gave birth to the Ateneo Environmental Management Coalition (AEMC) under the Office of the Vice President for LS (OVPLS).
Thereafter, for each semester of school year 2008-2009, the AEMC conducted a more comprehensive waste audit. The first semester results gave the scientific rationale for the solid waste management initiatives put in place, which also coincided with the thrusts of the Vice President for LS: leadership, quality assurance and environmental management.
Further, the solid waste management initiatives were incorporated in both academic and non-academic student formation. Waste audits and vermicomposting operations were included in classes such as Science and Society, Environmental Science, Philosophy, Theology, and Integrated Non-Academic Formation.
Under the previous system, all solid waste generated on campus was landfilled. Then, the results of the waste audit showed that, by weight, most of the LS solid waste consisted of biodegradables (54 percent), while by volume, plastics, specifically polystyrene, made up most of the waste (43 percent). To reduce the overall waste, therefore, composting of biodegradables, materials recovery for recyclables, and a revision of packaging used in the cafeterias appeared necessary.
The findings also led to various campaigns and policies, among them the "Bring Your Own Baunan" (BYOB) campaign, which encouraged everyone to bring their own containers when buying food, the complete phasing out of polystyrene (styrofoam) packaging by Semester 2, investment in reusable tableware and a centralized dishwashing machine for the cafeterias, and additional washing areas for students.
In November 2008, in partnership with the Ayala Foundation, the AEMC hosted the Waste Trade Market (WTM), which enhanced the involvement of the entire community in the drive for proper solid waste management and the conversion of waste into resources. In this event, the LS community sold approximately Php20,000.00 worth of recyclables. The AEMC also gave lectures and seminars on solid waste management in Gawad Kalinga communities and other areas.
Meanwhile, food waste from the cafeterias, as well as wet paper and garden waste were brought to the vermicomposting facility set up in February 2009. The facility’s output, vermicast, was used around the campus in lieu of chemical fertilizers.
Revenue from the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) designed in Semester 2, on the other hand, was pooled and given as additional assistance to the LS maintenance staff. The segregation scheme was revised to cover recyclables, compostables, dry paper, and other wastes. This improved the segregation at source and reduced staffing needed for sorting at the MRF.
Overall, the Waste to Resource Conversion project resulted in the reduction of the solid waste generated on campus by 54 percent (mass). The project succeeded due to strong administrative support, the collaboration of various sectors, and the receptiveness of the community to the changes that were initiated as part of the project. Advocacy campaigns for a more ethical and environmentally responsible lifestyle were also created during the school year. Academic and non-academic formation had been on-going since Semester 1 of SY 2008-2009.
These solid waste management initiatives were recognized by DuPont Philippines (First Prize (National Winner), Green Vision Case Challenge) in July 2008 and by the Quezon City Mayor's Office (Garbology Grand Master Award (Platinum Certificate)) in May 2009. The LS was also awarded the Most Sustainable and Eco-Friendly School (Tertiary Level) for 2009 in the NCR by the DENR-EMB, CHED and Smart. The LS was to represent the NCR at the Nationals Level of the competition.
The Waste to Resource Conversion Project was but one part of the bigger environmental management initiative of the LS, which included: wastewater treatment, energy conservation (shift to compact fluorescent light bulbs), green architecture, drip irrigation, and others.