Low carbon solid waste collection and transportation route in university: A case study

Abstract

Solid waste management is an environmental problem in Thailand. Health of citizen and environmental sustainability can be improved by increasing the efficiency of solid waste collection and transportation. The appropriate solid waste management also involves control of the atmospheric emissions. This work aims to investigate the existing methods of solid waste collection and transportation within university, Mae Fah Luang University (MFU), Thailand by surveys and interviews. The GHG emission or carbon emission was calculated basing on flue oil used. Google Earth view was used to analyze the appropriate collection points and transportation route mainly base on low carbon emission and requirement standards. Improper collection and transportation designs were found in term of collection sites, pick-up rounds and transportation routes that effect to higher carbon emission. Two transportation routes were proposed on idea of collection point reduction (from 12 points to 6 points) and waste separation (general waste, recycle waste and food waste), it was found that carbon emission was significantly reduced from conventional route from 13.58 kg CO 2 e/day to be 1.97 kg CO 2 e/day and 3.36 kg CO 2 e/day, respectively. However, burden of landfill and biogas generation for disposal of general waste and food waste were avoided, therefore waste minimization implementation was suggested to reach low carbon solid waste management.