Solid Waste Generation and Characterization Study in West Yangon University Campus and Development of a Management Plan

Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) systems are one of the greatest challenges for sustainable development. But for any ISWM system to be successful, the first step is to carry out waste generation and characterization studies. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the waste generation rate and the composition of generated solid waste at West Yangon. University academic buildings and food shops in the canteen to suggest a solid waste management plan. Thirty different sampling points (sixteen academic buildings and fourteen food shops) were selected in the campus and solid waste from those points was characterized for both, term-time and semester break during August and October. 2012. Tl1e results showed that daily waste generation of West Yangon University during term time was 280.9 kg/day and that during semester break was 108.4 kg/day. It was also found that food wastes constituted the largest share of 40 and 33 percent during term-time and semester break. The data and information gathered on waste generation and characterization studies were used to define the strategies for the Solid Waste Management Plan for West Yangon University. The components of waste management processes are: ( 1) waste segregation; (2) establishment of recyclable collection center; and (3) composting, By implementing solid waste management plan, 96 percent of total waste will be diverted from dump site in term-time (46% by recycling and 50% by composting) and 93 percent in semester break (49% by recycling and 44% by composting)