Management of the various types of degradable and nondegradable waste

SVKM’s Institute of Pharmacy is aware of the negative impact of waste on environment and benefits of waste recycling or proper disposal of waste. The college has well-organized system for waste management. Littering and spitting are prohibited in entire institute. The building premises are cleaned every day. Following write up summarizes how the institute manages waste in an eco-friendly manner:

Figure 7.1.2.3. Management of the various types of degradable and non-degradable waste

Solid waste management

There is practice of collecting wet waste and solid waste separately besides collecting plastic waste in a separate bin. These collecting bins are placed on various required locations in institute. Solid waste is collected from different areas by allocated housekeeping staff and dumped in waste collecting van of Dhule Municipal Corporation, Dhule for further processing.

Following is the application accepted by Dhule Municipal Corporation for collecting dry and wet waste from our institute:

We have policy in force to minimize use of papers (for printing) and communicate electronically. For printing, wherever feasible, back-to-back printing option is used to lessen the paper requirement. Back-to-back printing is done using fully automatic all-in-one photocopier. One sided printed papers are also used, if it is not mandatory to use fresh papers. 1/2A4 papers are also used when there is no need to take print on entire A4 page. For this high-end automatic, all-in-one photocopier, scanner and printer solution has been provided to teaching staff, librarian and office staff.

Housekeeping staff dumping segregated wastes in Dhule Municipal Corporation’s garbage collecting van

Library reading materials and periodicals (newspapers, magazines) are handed over to waste paper collecting person.

Incinerator is provided in washroom to destroy sanitary napkins.

Liquid waste management

The extent of liquid chemical waste generated is insignificant, which is diluted with water and flushed through drainage system. All non-chemical liquid waste is disposed of through the drainage system.

E-waste management

Efforts are done to prevent/minimize wear and tear during regular use by ensuring routine maintenance through in-house IT team as per the request of respective system operator. Still if some components of the electronic devices require repairing, it is done on priority basis to reduce the generation of e-waste. Functionalcomponents from electronic waste are reused in guidance and coordination with IT team plus higher teams available at headquarters. All the systems and supporting gazettes are with company warrantee and lease period. Once lease is over, systems or parts which are out of order or need repairing or need to be exchanged, they are exchanged /bought back as per AMC or warrantee options.

Hazardous chemicals and radioactive waste management

Faculty members and laboratory assistants guide and monitor the students during regular practicals and exams as well. The college does not generate any hazardous or radioactive waste of any type.Therefore, there is no waste related to these two categories. Regular laboratory chemicals, reagents including acids and organic solvents are used by students in experiments with full knowledge and basic precautions under the supervision of respective faculty member. Students are made aware of hazardous chemicals and safety aspects,before utilizing thechemicals for conducting experiments.