Silliman has country’s first sustainable campus

DUMAGUETE CITY -- Silliman University is strictly implementing a zero-waste policy as it becomes the country’s first sustainable campus.

Silliman President Betty Cernol-McCann said the university’s commitment to the prevention of environmental pollution, conservation and enhancement of natural resources, and sustainability is defined in the Environmental Principles, Policies, Guidelines and Best Practices that the school’s Board of Trustees adopted on Nov. 17.

“The university seeks to be a model of a sustainable campus by demonstrating the principles of Zero Waste, the waste management hierarchy, energy conservation and renewable energy utilization, biodiversity conservation, and a reduced carbon footprint,” McCann said.

The policy covers waste prevention and management, green procurement, food and food waste, events and festivals, and greening of the campus, she said.

To improve on-campus waste management, all trash cans will be properly labeled and faculty, staff, and students will be asked to segregate waste.

Waste Management Committee members and volunteers will visit each building to label bins and provide instructions on segregation.

McCann said all biodegradable wastes from the campus will be composted with the help of the College of Agriculture, and the reuse and recycling of recyclable waste will be maximized.

“We will intensify our drive against one-use plastics and prohibit bringing to campus containers and wrappers that contribute heavily to waste pollution,” she said.

McCann said that in support of the international Break Free From Plastics movement the university will carry out a consistent media and IEC campaign strategy to disseminate information on the policies and guidelines associated with the objective.