Int. J. Global Warming, Vol. X, No. Y, xxxx 1

Zero waste management: a case study

Ozge Koksal, Bilge Aydin Er and Yuksel Ardali* Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ondokuz Mayıs Unıversity, 55139, , Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] *Corresponding author

Abstract: Waste characterisation is shown as the first step of a successful waste management policy. Many stages such as reduction of waste at source, separation according to property, collection, temporary storage, recovery, transportation, disposal and control must be carried out regularly and effectively. The studies were carried out to determine the amount of solid wastes generated and the characterisation of the wastes produced in Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU). According to the data, the total amount of solid waste production per week was calculated as 8,597 kg/week. According to the waste characterisation of the university, distribution rates are 51% for packaging wastes, 10% for non-recyclable wastes and park and garden wastes, 9% for construction waste, 9% for waste, 2% for organic waste, 2% for e-waste, 8% medical waste and 6% hazardous waste. After one year of monitoring at OMU, studies have been initiated to manage the waste generated and the recycling potential and minimisation of the existing wastes.

Keywords: waste; management; characterisation; zero waste; sustainability. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Koksal, O., Er, B.A. and Ardali, Y. (xxxx) ‘Zero waste management: a case study’, Int. J. Global Warming, Vol. X, No. Y, pp.xxx–xxx. Biographical notes: Ozge Koksal is a PhD student of Environmental Engineering at the University of Ondokuz Mayis in Turkey. She completed her undergraduate studies in 2013 and her Masters degree in 2016 at Ondokuz Mayis University. She is currently a PhD candidate at the Ondokuz Mayis University. Her research interests include water and wastewater treatment, deep-sea outfall, zero waste and waste management. Bilge Aydin Er is an Assistant of Environmental Engineering at the University of Ondokuz Mayis in Turkey. She completed her undergraduate studies in 2012 and her Masters degree in 2016 at Ondokuz Mayis University. She is currently a PhD candidate at the Ondokuz Mayis University. Her research interests include water and wastewater treatment, sediment and waste management. Yuksel Ardali is currently a Professor at the Environmental Engineering Department, Ondokuz Mayıs University, in Turkey. She has over 30 years of teaching and research experience in this university. Her research areas include novel wastewater techniques, phytoremediation, constructed wetlands, soil pollution, and deep sea discharge systems.

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1 Introduction

Rapid population growth, phenomena such as industrial development and urbanisation in developing countries where Turkey, has also been brought about in the solid waste problem. The collection of waste management in urban areas, the system of transport and storage are inadequate (Yılmaz and Bozkurt, 2010). Today, world cities produce about 1.3 billion tons of solid waste annually and its volume is expected to increase to 2.2 billion tons by 2025 (Hoornweg and Bhada-Tata, 2012). The production of waste in parallel with the rising population has become difficult to manage as a global concern (Ayeleru et al., 2018). Waste generation rates will be more than double in low-income countries over the next twenty years. The environmental sensitivity is not fully realised and the excessive consumption culture has an important place in this problem. In particular, minimising this situation affecting waste generation will be an important step in waste management. Waste generation and recovery, which constitute the first principle of waste management, can be realised in this way. This principle which accepted all over the world has also started to be implemented in our country; but far behind the rates of developed countries (Akdogan and Gulec, 2007). When we look at our country, many of the cities also have difficulties in separating, collecting and disposing of their waste. It is aimed to waste manage by zero waste projects which are widely implemented in the present day. However, the institutions and organisations that support these studies, especially the universities that are active in this field, serve as examples in the development of this consciousness. In a way, universities can be considered as small-scale cities, which are established in quite large areas today, where there are many human activities and they have quite different effects on the environment (Adeniran et al., 2017). The importance of universities in promoting sustainable development is emphasised in many important declarations such as the Talloires Declaration (1990), the Halifax Declaration (1991), the Swansea Declaration (1993), the Kyoto Declaration (1993), Students for a Sustainable Future (1995) (Mason et al., 2003). With this understanding, waste management in universities should be handled and implemented in an integrated manner within the scope of sustainability in order to minimise all environmental negativities including consumption of resources and all emissions and wastes formed. Waste management, recycling and based on the efficient use of resources is a sustainable element. With the recovery, significant savings will be achieved in both raw material costs and generation costs of the products (Burlakovs et al., 2018). The large amount of waste to landfill areas brings about many environmental problems such as air, water and soil pollution (Zelenika et al., 2018). By preventing these problems from occurring, it will be ensured that the resources that form the basis of sustainability will be used effectively. In addition to this, burning and composting as a result of incineration are the methods that provide sustainability (Akdogan and Gulec, 2007). Most modern societies are applied integrated waste management systems to recycle and recover of the waste. But as well as the optimal recycling or resource recovery with the notion of zero waste, in addition to requires the elimination of unnecessary waste generation in the first step of designing a product (Zaman and Lehmann, 2013). In order to make the waste management healthy and accurate, it is necessary to know the waste composition. After this, it is decided how to dispose of waste and how it is to be evaluated in terms of economic and sustainable development (Kemirtlek, 2018).

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In this study, it is aimed 1 to determine waste inventories 2 to evaluate the waste generated from the units within the structure 3 to identify the characterisation and quantity of waste 4 to utilise waste correctly based on the waste management network and the zero waste activities. The difference of this study from the studies is aimed to adapt the zero waste principle to the university rather than the main goal of waste management. In addition, the University is leading a number of studies in line with the zero waste approach.

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Sampling area

Located in Samsun province, Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) is a deep-rooted state university established in 1975 in order to make a new breath and contribute to the economic, cultural and social life of the Region. OMU is established as a regional university and leaving 43 years behind due to its duties, is one of the most powerful research and education institutions in our country, adopting universal values, working diligently to provide innovations for the benefit of society and individuals. The central Kurupelit Campus, with its green nature, ponds and a unique nature view, consists of approximately 8,800 acres of land (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Ondokuz Mayıs University image and campus map (see online version for colours)

Ondokuz Mayıs University

OMU has academic and administrative units, specialist in the field and experienced academic staff at the undergraduate, undergraduate and graduate levels. The university is a big family with 58,056 students, 2,354 academic staff and 2,353 administrative staff (Figures 2–3). Turkey is one of the oldest universities OMU has 19 faculties, one college, 12 vocational colleges, six institutes, one conservatory and 24 practice research centres and is advancing confidently in the international arena.

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Figure 2 Number of academic staff working in the OMU each year (see online version for colours)

Figure 3 Distribution of academic staff and students rates in the OMU (see online version for colours)

The objectives include using existing data to determine the environmental management structures of the OMU and discuss the implementation of the zero waste program in this context.

2.2 Waste collection system in the university

The wastes that have been produced up to now in the OMU were transferred to Yılanlı Dere, which is located away from the settlements in Samsun province, without being separated with garbage trucks by the municipalities.

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Due to the fact that waste management systems could not be installed completely, the waste collection, separation and storage operations could not be performed at the desired target. Collected wastes in here were continued to pollute the environment as waste were buried on land. With the zero waste works, separation containers have been provided to collect the wastes generated in our university separately according to their types. Temporary storage areas have been created in the appropriate areas determined within the university for the wastes accumulated in separation containers. The waste collected from the temporary storage areas at the waste collection centres is agreed with licensed firms and the recycling of waste is aimed at more environmentally friendly systems. In addition, efforts are made to realise the training of individuals by the competent people and leaders, to create a vision on zero waste and to transfer them to the way of life through sustainability.

2.3. Waste characterisation and recycling potential

For the wastes produced in the OMU, the first aim is to prevent waste and to use resources more effectively and efficiently. If the waste generation is inevitable, firstly, reducing the amount of waste, waste parsing the wastes at the source, sending them to the recovery facilities and providing value added to the economy by obtaining raw materials or energy are among the other objectives. Finally, it is aimed to ensure that the non- recyclable wastes are properly disposed of without harming the environment and human health (Figure 4).

Figure 4 Zero waste hierarchy (see online version for colours)

Most preferred

Least preferred

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Table 1 The weekly quantities of waste types in OMU-September 2018

Waste types Total waste quantities (kg/week) Paper-carton 3,331.28 Plastic 525.95 Glass 242.55 Metal 170.45 Waste battery 7.81 Waste batteries 10.00 Cartridges-toner 21.34 Organic waste 717.75 Composite 79.39 Wooden 34.25 Lighting equipment 11.25 Non-recyclable wastes 414.63 Meal waste 296.5 Bread waste 88.00 Cutters 131.25 Wastes that are collected and disposed for special 187.50 treatment to prevent infection Bandages, body plaster, disposable clothing, diapers 47.75 Blood bags and blood spares including body parts and 230.25 organs Absorbents, filter materials, cleaning cloths, topcoats, 101.73 protective clothing and contaminated packaging TV-monitor 24.07 Information, telecommunications and consumer equipment 54.30 Small appliances, electrical appliances 5.13 Air conditioning/ventilation etc. welded dust filter 48.88 Generator etc. welded oil filter 0.675 Waste engine, transmission and lubricating oils 0.75 Oil filters 0.025 Waste oil 35.63 Large volume wastes 725 Park-garden waste 183.25 Construction-ruin wastes 262.5 Medicines 5.55 Chemicals 300 Laboratory chemicals 208.13 Amalgam wastes from dental treatment 0.025 Animal faeces 50.00 Straw under the animal 30.00 Other 13.38

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The characterisation and quantities of many types of waste from various sources, which are available in the tables prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, have been made in all units in the period of July-August-September 2018. The sampling data from the units (September-2018) are shown in Table 1. When the data obtained within the scope of zero waste studies in the OMU, waste recycling, composting and regular storage rates were determined as before and after 2018 (Figure 5).

Figure 5 Estimated waste conversion rates before and after 2018 in the OMU (see online version for colours)

Considering the ratios shown, it is a priority target to prevent or minimise wastes generated at the university, especially at the source, with a more conscious and systematic zero waste approach. In addition, the recycling rate of the existing waste will be reduced and the recycling rate will be realised by the licensed companies. Many organic wastes, which can be composted, have priority to use the methods which can support soil improvement by using the wastes such as cut grass such as lawns, and to manage the University’s own waste successfully.

3 Results and discussion

3.1 Percentages of waste on type and quantity scale in the university As of 2018, zero waste works have been started in OMU and quantity inventories of the generated wastes are obtained from each unit and calculated on a weekly basis according to type. The percentages of the total amount of waste calculated by the obtained data in the total amount of waste are as shown in the graph in Figure 6. According to the preliminary data obtained at the OMU, it was calculated that the total of 8,597 kg (kg/week) waste production per week. The majority of the total amount of waste is composed of packaging wastes at a rate of 51%. Packaging wastes with high recycling potential are collected in separation trays located at the university, and thus wastes recycled to the economy and the environment.

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Figure 6 According to types, waste distribution rates in the OMU, September-2018 (see online version for colours)

3.2 The university’s waste policy

The use and development of zero waste strategy has been the focus of the university’s waste management policy for the envisaged sustainable environment (Adeniran et al., 2017). Policies are implemented to encourage recycling but also to prevent unnecessary waste. It is aimed to gain the opportunity to implement a waste management in a way that awareness will be created and sustained by supporting the stakeholder commitment to the policies and subsequent trainings on these issues. Many more activities and research activities are carried out towards the goal of zero waste management. For this purpose, zero waste workshop was organised in university. Zero waste leaders were trained by training university students. Many information meetings were held to raise awareness of the zero waste approach. In response to concerns about environmental management, a zero waste program was established on the university campus. The implementation procedure is based on the initial interviews with the academic and local authority staff in the university’s environmental forum, the establishment of a working group consists of research, training and promotion programs directed by the focus points. Studies to establish a written environmental policy with the support of senior management and higher education and commitment to university environmental responsibilities were identified (Mason et al., 2003). When universities are considered as small cities, it is important to take steps to collect and recycle wastes from units such as many restaurants, hospitals and laboratories (Gallardo et al., 2016). A number of equipment (separation containers, containers, training materials, accumulation and transport equipment, etc.) needed for current due diligence and planning in waste management have been identified. However, recovery of waste/disposal facilities designated for temporary storage location selection will be held temporarily before being sent to and made efforts to comply with the legislation to be created in this area. In order to separate the wastes at the source, it is provided to enable

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separate accumulation for each type of waste. For the recyclable wastes (paper-carton, glass, plastic, metal), two-compartment waste collecting piggy bank has been provided for four compartments, organic wastes and non-recyclable wastes. Recyclable wastes are collected by licensed companies operating in Samsun. Organic wastes are brought into the cyclical economy in the newly-started composting facility in the university and non- recyclable wastes are sent to the landfill areas.

4 Conclusions

Waste management is one of the most important issues in the world. Increased waste generation is one of the direct effects of rapid urbanisation, economic growth and consumption. The amount of waste is a negative notion which shows the inefficient and misuse of the resources of the societies. Waste production is not only a source of environmental and human health impacts, but also a serious threat to the consumption of valuable natural resources. Therefore, sustainable waste management is an important issue that should not be ignored for the protection of human health and the environment. To date, various waste management strategies have been developed under the heading of sustainable waste management, such as integrated waste management. Especially the conservation of resources, pollution control and integrated waste shortcomings experienced in the progress of recovery issues and problems in the management approach, different methods applied in the past people have been pushed beyond the planning application. Subsequently, zero waste management, which we think of as an emerging and innovative method has emerged as an integrated waste management system in the last decade. It is necessary to ensure the continuity of zero waste management which is spreading rapidly and developing many strategies. With every step taken towards the full education and contribution of all stakeholders, sustainable waste management will reach a much more successful level. In our country, there is an adaptation process with waste management and zero waste work suddenly while talking about landfill sites and regular storage. This is also present in our university as in our country, but the value and importance of the project has been explained through trainings and this process has been tried to be accelerated. While preparing an integrated waste management regulation, studies are being carried out to disseminate this notion. In these studies, it is necessary to monitor the system in order to ensure complete establishment, training and sustainability, otherwise the sustainability of the system will be difficult in countries such as Turkey.

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