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Solid Waste Characterization and Recycling Potential for a University Campus in China

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  • Dongyong Zhang

    (College of Information and Management Science, Henan Agricultural University, 15 Longzi Lake Campus, Zhengzhou East New District, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China)

  • Mengge Hao

    (College of Information and Management Science, Henan Agricultural University, 15 Longzi Lake Campus, Zhengzhou East New District, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China)

  • Sida Chen

    (College of Information and Management Science, Henan Agricultural University, 15 Longzi Lake Campus, Zhengzhou East New District, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China)

  • Stephen Morse

    (Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK)

Abstract

Waste characterization is the first step to a successful waste management system. This paper explores the trend of solid waste generated on a university campus (Longzi Lake Campus of Henan Agricultural University) in China and the factors that influence the potential for recycling of the waste. Face-to-face interviews were carried out for 12 consecutive months on a campus in central China, and 416 interviewees were questioned. It was found that 7.32 tonnes of solid waste were generated on the campus each day, of which 79.31% were recyclable. The characterization of major waste streams are discussed, and the results are compared with comparable data from five universities in a range of other countries (Mexico, Canada, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Ethiopia). The annual growth of GDP per capita in China over the past five years before the research appeared to play an important role in the increasing of food waste on university campus, and the proportion of food waste is found to have a positive influence on recycling potential.

Suggested Citation

  • Dongyong Zhang & Mengge Hao & Sida Chen & Stephen Morse, 2020. "Solid Waste Characterization and Recycling Potential for a University Campus in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:8:p:3086-:d:344580
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    Cited by:

    1. Maria Triassi & Bruna De Simone & Paolo Montuori & Immacolata Russo & Elvira De Rosa & Fabiana Di Duca & Claudio Crivaro & Vittorio Cerullo & Patrizia Pontillo & Sergi Díez, 2023. "Determination of Residual Municipal Solid Waste Composition from Rural and Urban Areas: A Step toward the Optimization of a Waste Management System for Efficient Material Recovery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Guorui Chen & Li Cheng & Foyuan Li, 2022. "Integrating Sustainability and Users’ Demands in the Retrofit of a University Campus in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-21, August.
    3. Mengge Hao & Dongyong Zhang & Stephen Morse, 2020. "Waste Separation Behaviour of College Students under a Mandatory Policy in China: A Case Study of Zhengzhou City," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-20, November.

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