A tremendous profit over horrible waste and a healthy wealthy resource!
Kelaniya University halts the use of plastic and polythene. –A stoppage of 1.6 million plastic lunch wrappers from its use within a time frame ofjust eight months!
With the acceptanceof an Environmental Policy in 2014, a special Solid Waste Management programme was introduced by the University of Kelaniya thereby establishing a centre ofsustainable solutions in terms of ensuring proper implementation of respective aspects within the university itself. Thus In respect ofan eco-friendly and health-protective disposal system of Collected Waste, an existing process of key tasks such as waste separation and storage, recycling of paper,production of compost, bio-gas as well asaspects of wastewater treatment are currently being taking place.
The separation of garbage, into paper, plastics, glass and ironwith prompt action on the very spot where the waste is being generatedis considered as the initial step in respect of solid waste management thereby reducing in terms of financial loss also the environmental damage caused by the diversified waste interactions. More than 350 garbage containers have been introduced in terms of garbage separation according to specific categories thereby the garbage being classified according to the respective waste bins which in turn has brought fourth successful results.Also in respect of garbage storage two storing units have been initiated within the university until such time arrives when it is properly being disposed of.
Discarded paper is a valuable resource and can be re-produced for re-use through recycling. It can save a large amount of resources, such as the destroying of plants also the energy used in producing new paper, as well as benefitting financially. The recyclingpaper project initiated in October 2014 had recycled a massive quantity of 65,000 kg of used paper by May 2017 thereby generating a revenue of over four hundred thousand rupees during the specified time period resulting approximatelyof around 1105 trees beingsaved, as well as reduction of about65000 kg of greenhouse gas emissions
Since the implementation of the respective successful course of remedial action an approximate amount of 1.6 million of plastic food wrappers have been excludedfrom its usage during the specified time period (from September 2016 up to current date) as well as the non-usage of polythene in the canteens within the university. In addition, 805 kg of polythene and plasticaccumulatedwithin the university during a period ofsix months will be directed for recycling.
Compost manufacturing yards owned by Kelaniya University are being set up at Ragama Medical faculty as well as in Dalugama area where allthe vegetative wastecollected from the university garden and also the restaurant waste, is gathered in manufacturing compost. Furthermore cultivations of Gliricidia, Mexican Sunflower (Sooriyakantha) and San Hemp plants have being initiated upon in terms of obtaining additional nitrogen towards manufacturing of compost fertilizer whereby theproduced compost is used for garden maintenance of the university together with earnings of a lucrative income of Rs 1.2 milliongathered so far via sales of compost surplus at a minimum cost. Currently it has reached a point where a minimal usage ofchemical fertilizer is used in terms of gardening activitieswithin the university premises.
As a power solution,together with the sponsorship of the Zoology and Environmental Management Division,a project in bio-gas production was initiated and as the preliminary project in August 2015,thereby establishinga unit of 500 litre capacity being installed at the Science Faculty canteen of the university. And in addition, two bio gas units of 5000 litre capacity each has also being established at the Medical Faculty thereby using the bio-gas produced by the respective units, in terms of food preparation for the Medical Faculty canteen. Furthermore It isplanned for every restaurant in the university to be installed with bio-gas generators during the course of this year.
Wastewater collected within the university is operated by three water treatment plants with EPL and a large scale of water conservationhas taken place due to the usage of treated wastewater for gardening purposes.
Garbage cannot be transformed into a valuable resource unless otherwise it is properly being disposed of and it is there the solution lies. The on-going waste management project at theKelaniya University has already saved upto a large sum financially as well as keeping environment pollution at a minimal level setting an example where waste can be transformed into a valuable resource.