Abstract
A procedure developed to identify and facilitate the implementation of waste source separation strategies applicable in higher education centers, as a prerequisite for the expansion of recycling programs. The target materials proper to be separated were selected based on quantitative/qualitative analysis of waste produced on the Nazlou Campus of Urmia University, Iran (as a case study). The barriers to implementation of the program were identified using the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) methodology. Finally, regarding the main obstacles which could be broken down inside the campus complex, an analysis of factors affecting student participation were done. On average, 37.48% of 1.74 tons of waste daily produced on the campus could be recycled. Based on sieve analyses, the categories of non-ferrous metals, glass, and composite packaging have a wider size distribution (i.e., over 150 to under 80 mm) might lead to improper operation of further mechanical separations and be selected as target materials. The weakness of educational programs and persuading the students are considered the main obstacles. A significant relationship was observed between the three training options, namely “installation of announcements,” “organizing waste management classes,” and “training through holding the exhibition of recycled products” and the student participation in the program (with more emphasis on the last one). Women were estimated to be more likely than men to participate in the program (70 vs 49%). Also, there was a significant relationship between the knowledge and the student’s participation. In other words, strengthening public awareness is essential to increase the participation level.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
References
Adeniran, A. E., Nubi, A. T., & Adelopo, A. O. (2017). Solid waste generation and characterization in the University of Lagos for a sustainable waste management. Waste Management, 67, 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2017.05.002
Alhassan, H., Asante, F. A., Oteng-Ababio, M., & Bawakyillenuo, S. (2018). Application of theory of planned behaviour to households’ source separation behaviour in Ghana. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-10-2017-0122
Ali, A. A., Gumbe, L. O., Mohammed, A. H., & Nathan, N. (2010). Nairobi solid waste management practices: Need for improved public participation and involvement. Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 80(1), 61–73. https://doi.org/10.4314/tjfnc.v80i1
Báreková, A., & Franeková, Z. (2015). Composition analysis of municipal solid waste at a university dormitory. Acta Horticulturae Et Regiotectuare, 18(2), 49–52. https://doi.org/10.1515/ahr-2015-0010
Chauhan, A., Singh, A., & Jharkharia, S. (2016). An ISM and DEMATEL method approach for the analysis of barriers of waste recycling in India. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 68(2), 100–110. https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2016.1249441
De Vega, C. A., Benítez, S. O., & Barreto, M. E. R. (2008). Solid waste characterization and recycling potential for a university campus. Waste Management, 28, S21–S26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2008.03.022
Ebrahimi, K., & North, L. A. (2017). Effective strategies for enhancing waste management at university campuses. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-01-2016-0017
Eneji, C. V. O. O., Edung, U. N., Effiong, A. E., & Okon, G. (2019). Environmental education and waste management behavior among undergraduate students of the university of Calabar, Nigeria. Environmental Education Research. https://doi.org/10.7176/JEP/10-24-11
Eskandari, V., & Ghanbarzadeh Lak, M. (2019). Factors affecting the participation rate of higher-education students in domestic solid waste segregation (case study: Nazlou Campus of Urmia University). Environmental Sciences, 16(4), 93–112. (in Persian).
Fehr, M. (2015). Ten facts to guide municipal waste management thinking. Waste Management & Research, 33(10), 853–854. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X15589784
Gallardo, A., Edo-Alcón, N., Carlos, M., & Renau, M. (2016). The determination of waste generation and composition as an essential tool to improve the waste management plan of a university. Waste Management, 53, 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2016.04.013
Ghaffariraad, M., & Ghanbarzadeh Lak, M. (2021). Landfill leachate treatment through coagulation-flocculation with lime and bio-sorption by walnut-shell. Environmental Management, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-021-01489-4
Hao, M., Zhang, D., & Morse, S. (2020). Waste separation behaviour of college students under a mandatory policy in China: A case study of Zhengzhou City. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21), 8190. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17218190
Hossain, M. L., Das, S. R., Rubaiyat, A., Salam, M. A., Uddin, M. K., & Hossain, M. K. (2013). Characteristics and management of institutional solid waste of Jamalkhan Ward, Chittagong, Bangladesh. International Journal of Research in Management, 2(3), 155–162.
Israel, G. D. (2012). Sampling: Determining sample size. From University of Florida IFAS Extension.
Janes, F. R. (1988). Interpretive structural modelling: A methodology for structuring complex issues. Transactions of the Institute of Measurement and Control, 10(3), 145–154. https://doi.org/10.1177/014233128801000306
Kelly, T. C., Mason, I. G., Leiss, M. W., & Ganesh, S. (2006). University community responses to on-campus resource recycling. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 47(1), 42–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2005.10.002
Mason, I. G., Oberender, A., & Brooking, A. K. (2004). Source separation and potential re-use of resource residuals at a university campus. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 40(2), 155–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-3449(03)00068-5
Mbuligwe, S. E. (2002). Institutional solid waste management practices in develo** countries: A case study of three academic institutions in Tanzania. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 35(3), 131–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-3449(01)00113-6
Nanjundeswaraswamy, T. S., & Divakar, S. (2021). Determination of sample size and sampling methods in applied research. Proceedings on Engineering, 3(1), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.24874/PES03.01.003
Nguyen, T. Q. (2011). Understanding recycling and recycling communication in university settings: A case study at the University of East Anglia. Environmental Assessment and Management, University of East Anglia.
Okeniyi, J. O., & Anwan, E. U. (2012). Solid wastes generation in Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria: Characterisation and implication for sustainable waste management. J. Mater. Environ. Sci, 3(2), 419–424.
Owojori, O., Edokpayi, J. N., Mulaudzi, R., & Odiyo, J. O. (2020). Characterisation, recovery and recycling potential of solid waste in a university of a develo** economy. Sustainability, 12(12), 5111.https://doi.org/10.3390/su12125111
Pujara, Y., Pathak, P., Sharma, A., & Govani, J. (2019). Review on Indian Municipal Solid Waste Management practices for reduction of environmental impacts to achieve sustainable development goals. Journal of Environmental Management, 248, 109238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.07.009
Qasim, S. R. (2017). Sanitary landfill leachate: Generation, control and treatment. Routledge.
Rhyner, C. R., Schwartz, L. J., Wenger, R. B., & Kohrell, M. G. (2017). Waste management and resource recovery. CRC Press.
Rigamonti, L., Grosso, M., & Giugliano, M. (2009). Life cycle assessment for optimising the level of separated collection in integrated MSW management systems. Waste Management, 29(2), 934–944. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2008.06.005
Singh, M. D., Shankar, R., Narain, R., & Agarwal, A. (2003). An interpretive structural modeling of knowledge management in engineering industries. Journal of Advances in Management Research, 1(1), 28–40. https://doi.org/10.1108/97279810380000356
Singh, R. K., Garg, S. K., & Deshmukh, S. G. (2007). Interpretive structural modelling of factors for improving competitiveness of SMEs. International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2(4), 423–440. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPQM.2007.013336
Smyth, D. P., Fredeen, A. L., & Booth, A. L. (2010). Reducing solid waste in higher education: The first step towards ‘greening’ a university campus. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 54(11), 1007–1016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2010.02.008
Taghizadeh, S., Ghassemzadeh, H. R., Vahed, M. M., & Fellegari, R. (2012). Solid waste characterization and management within university campuses case study: University of Tabriz. Elixir Pollution, 43, 6650–6654.
Vassanadumrongdee, S., & Kittipongvises, S. (2018). Factors influencing source separation intention and willingness to pay for improving waste management in Bangkok. Thailand. Sustainable Environment Research, 28(2), 90–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.serj.2017.11.003
Viebahn, P. (2002). An environmental management model for universities: From environmental guidelines to staff involvement. Journal of Cleaner Production, 10(1), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0959-6526(01)00017-8
Yang, X., Chen, X., **ao, X., **, H., & Liu, S. (2021). College students’ willingness to separate municipal waste and its influencing factors: A case study in Chongqing. China. Sustainability, 13(22), 12914. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212914
Yhdego, M. (1994). Institutional organic wastes as a soil conditioner in Tanzania. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 12(3–4), 185–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/0921-3449(94)90006-X
Zamorano, M., Grindlay, A., Molero, E., & Rodríguez, M. I. (2011). Diagnosis and proposals for waste management in industrial areas in the service sector: Case study in the metropolitan area of Granada (Spain). Journal of Cleaner Production, 19(17–18), 1946–1955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.07.004
Zhang, H., Liu, J., Wen, Z. G., & Chen, Y. X. (2017). College students’ municipal solid waste source separation behavior and its influential factors: A case study in Bei**g, China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 164, 444–454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.224
Zhang, N., Williams, I. D., Kemp, S., & Smith, N. F. (2011). Greening academia: Develo** sustainable waste management at Higher Education Institutions. Waste Management, 31(7), 1606–1616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2011.03.006
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Vahid Eskandari: data collection, analyzing. Mehdi Ghanbarzadeh Lak: literature search and review, manuscript writing. Milad Ghaffariraad: manuscript editing.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Eskandari, V., Ghanbarzadeh Lak, M. & Ghaffariraad, M. An ISM approach to overcome the participation barriers in the waste source separation—a case study: Urmia University Campus. Environ Monit Assess 195, 77 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10711-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10711-7