Lovely Professional University has adopted a comprehensive policy to minimize the use of plastic on campus. The university aims to create a plastic-free campus through awareness, education, and enforcement. Here are some of the key features of LPU's plastic minimization policy:
Ban on single-use plastic items:
LPU has banned the use of single-use plastic items on campus, including plastic bags, disposable cups, plates, cutlery, straws, and stirrers.
Reusable alternatives:
LPU has made reusable alternatives available to students and staff. This includes reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, and shopping bags.
Awareness campaigns:
LPU conducts regular awareness campaigns to educate students and staff about the harmful effects of plastic pollution. The university also promotes the use of reusable alternatives.
Enforcement:
LPU has a strict enforcement policy in place to ensure that the plastic minimization policy is followed.
By implementing these measures, LPU has significantly reduced its reliance on single-use plastic items and has made substantial progress towards becoming a plastic-free campus. The university's commitment to plastic minimization is an example of its dedication to environmental sustainability and its leadership in promoting sustainable practices among its students, staff, and the wider community.
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| Framework on Waste Management | Click Here |
Framework on Waste Management
Reviewed : 2023
INTRODUCTION
Lovely Professional University is committed to implementing a sustainable and integrated waste management program that utilizes measurement practices to track its progress. Through collaboration with outsourced partners, LPU strives to reduce its environmental impact, promote a culture of sustainability, and ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all employees and students.
In order to achieve this University ensures that wastes generated due to various farm- and lab operations, use of different laboratory chemicals, insecticides, fungicides, weedicides and experimental organisms, clinical facilities, cleaning operations etc. are disposed in appropriate manner and as per respective government guidelines wherever applicable and if possible, converting it into value added environment friendly product.
In order to achieve this University ensures that wastes generated due to various farm- and lab operations, use of different laboratory chemicals, insecticides, fungicides, weedicides and experimental organisms, clinical facilities, cleaning operations etc. are disposed in appropriate manner and as per respective government guidelines wherever applicable and if possible, converting it into value added environment friendly product.
SCOPE
The framework covers management of all the different type of waste hazardous or non hazardous covering any item biological, chemical, physical and radiological which has the potential of causing harm to humans, animals or environment. The collection, disposal and recycle of the waste should be done as per the guidelines laid by the respective government bodies. The framework is extended to all the contracted services on the campus including food catering services, canteens, suppliers of stationary, equipment and building contracts and supply chain. All kind of records with respect to waste generations, disposal and recycle of waste shall be properly maintained.
OBJECTIVE
- Examine waste figures and undertake a waste audit such as types of waste generation; preventable measures undertaken to reduce waste generation and adequacy of preventable measures.
- Plastic-free campus by adopting alternative facilities like water units to avoid the use of plastic water bottles and encourage the use of cloth bags, paper bags instead of plastic goods in the campus
- Identification of recyclable waste
- Increase the use of recyclable material
- Improvement in the waste management system for plastics, electronics, and biomedical hazardous waste, solid waste etc.
- Implementation of government guidelines for disposal of biomedical and hazardous waste.
- Training and awareness for the utilization of recyclable materials and waste management.
- Regular awareness drives and sensitization workshops on the harmful impacts of various types of waste and training on waste management
1. Approvals from Government Authorities:
- Specific authorization is obtained under Bio Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2016 from Punjab Pollution Control Board
- Authorization of Punjab Pollution Control Board for discharge of effluent(s) under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 is also obtained.
- Authorization under Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 is also obtained from Punjab Pollution Control Board.
2. Collaborations with agencies for Disposal of waste:
LPU recognizes the expertise and resources that outsourced waste management partners can bring to its sustainability efforts. The university partners with reputable waste management companies to provide services such as waste collection, recycling, composting, and hazardous waste disposal. Collaboration with government authorized agencies for the lifting, recycling and disposal of biomedical waste, solid waste, E-waste and hazardous waste is in place.
- Biomedical waste is lifted by Bio Medical Waste Treatment Plant Pvt. Ltd. (BMWT), Pathankot, which is authorized by the concerned government authorities as, Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facility.
- Adequate Agreement for lifting of municipal solid waste from the campus and dumping at the municipal corporation sites by the authorized operators as per Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2016 are also made.
- Agreement with M/S Shivalik Solid Waste Management Limited in respect of lifting and recycling of electronic waste has also been made which has authorization from Pollution Control Board Authorities under E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016.
- An Agreement has been made with a common hazardous waste treatment facility in Jalandhar, authorized by the relevant government authority, the Punjab Pollution Control Board.
2.1 Measuring Progress towards Sustainability:
LPU has established a comprehensive set of waste management metrics to measure its progress towards sustainability goals. These metrics track the volume of waste generated, the amount of waste diverted from landfills through recycling and composting associated with waste reduction initiatives.
3. Internal System at the campus:
A well-developed system is in place to handle all types of waste, including biomedical waste, solid waste, e-waste, and hazardous waste on basis of which measurements of all types waste is taken and then processed further.
General Guidelines
- A well-developed system is in place to handle all types of waste, including biomedical waste, solid waste, e-waste, and hazardous waste on basis of which measurements of all types waste is taken and then processed further.
- More than 380 Sweepers are deployed in the campus for ensuring cleanliness at all levels in academic, administrative, residential and other areas.
- Waste/garbage generated in University campus collected and measured at regular intervals and emptied at dumping yards provided at various locations all over the university.
- Adequate machinery like vacuum machines, spray pumps, fogging machine, floor scrubbers etc. are also available for efficient cleaning and pest control as and when required.
Bio medical waste management guidelines
- All chemicals are neutralized before disposing them off as effluent. 5 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant is installed and functional on campus for the treatment of waste water as per respective guidelines and treated water is used for irrigation purposes.
- Liquid biomedical waste is treated with sodium hypochlorite and then discharged in Sewage Treatment Plant at the campus.
- Biomedical waste is collected in colour coded dustbins (yellow, red, blue and white) as prescribed in Bio Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2016.
- Apart from this, the University has well-organized eco-friendly framework for maintaining cleanliness at the campus. The housekeeping staff is deployed under concerned hostel wardens and administrative officers (AOs) to ensure proper cleanliness at campus. Besides, there are sector in-charges and supervisors for ensuring and maintaining proper cleanliness in the campus.
- Waste is collected in colour coded dustbins, green for wet waste and blue for dry recyclable wastes, which are managed appropriately and periodically by housekeeping staff.
Hazardous waste management guidelines
- Waste oil, batteries and chemicals which cannot be reused is disposed off centrally through Government authorized vendors.
- An agreement has been made with the common hazardous waste treatment facility authorized by the government authority, the Punjab Pollution Control Board.
- The records are maintained at Central store of the University for compliance.
Food waste management guidelines
- All food waste generated from hostels, canteens, and food courts is collected separately in green color-coded bins to prevent contamination with other waste types.
- Collected food waste is processed through on-campus composting facilities to produce organic manure, which is used for landscaping and gardening on campus.
- The University exclusively uses stainless steel and biodegradable cutlery in its canteens and does not permit food packaging, minimizing non-recyclable waste.
- Surplus food from cafeterias is distributed to those in need through food banks or community initiatives before it becomes waste.
- Awareness programs and posters are placed around food courts to encourage students and staff to minimize food wastage.
E-waste management guidelines
- The e-waste, including CFLs, Printers, Cartidges, motherboards, keyboards, computers, monitors etc. which cannot be reused is disposed off centrally through Government authorized vendors. Agreement M/S Shivalik Solid Waste Management Limited in respect of lifting and recycling of electronic waste also been made which has authorization from Pollution Control Board authorities under E-waste (Management) rules, 2016.
Plastic waste management guidelines
- University prohibits the use of plastic plasticware such as glasses, spoons etc. in the campus. Instead, wooden spoons and hard paper plates etc. are used. Single use plastic is banned in the campus. Awareness signages are also provided at various locations of the campus.
4. Waste minimization, Reuse and Recycling:
In order to successfully implement waste management waste avoidance and minimization at source is very important and should be a continual process.
- Training and workshops are conducted at regular intervals for creating awareness.
- Vermicomposting is done to produce compost from the waste leaf litter and various species of earthworms. Composting pit can is supplemented with cooked and raw kitchen waste being produced from various hostel messes. The compost produced is be used to supply nutrients to plantation in the University.
- The bins of left over foods are transported to nearby piggeries and cow sheds to fed to animals.
- A biogas plant based on “Deenbandhu model” is constructed to produce biogas from cattle dung. The capacity of the plant is around 6m3 which requires excreta of around 10-12 cattle (150 kg excreta) and this can produce sufficient biogas for cooking food for 15 people daily. Apart from the cattle dung, sewer waste is also fed in to the plant to produce biogas.
5. Ban on single use plastic and waste management of disposable item
University has strict compliance towards the single-use plastics use which is completely prohibition on campus. To ensure the implementation of the policy, University officials must conduct frequent inspections and raise tickets for the defaulters. Moreover, the use of disposable items must be prohibited to be used on campus and instead alternate must be provided like use of paper cutlery, steel utensils etc.
To further facilitate the promotion of environmentally friendly substitutes, University must incentivise and raise awareness by taking pro-active initiatives towards its users and stakeholders. University can have functional and collaborative waste management system for effective recycling, sorting, and collection, that can be out-sources.
These guidelines will ensure effective management of disposable waste in University.
Guidelines for Green and Sustainable Campus
Reviewed : 2022
Introduction
Lovely Professional University strives hard for fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as established by the United Nations in 2015 to address the most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges facing our world. University follows guidelines for 17 interconnected goals provide and adheres to comprehensive framework for achieving a more sustainable and equitable future for all through education, activities and research. Universities/Educational Institutions can be viewed as ‘small cities’ due to their large size and the various complex activities, which can have direct and indirect impacts on the local environment. Universities have long been leaders of change – catalysts for social and political action as well as centers of learning. Universities not only educate most of the world’s future leaders, decision-makers, teachers but also advance the boundaries of knowledge. Also, as major employers and consumers of goods and services they play a significant role in sustainable development on national as well as on global level.
Universities being the hub of young people, therefore, they can mobilize them to future sustainable development goals. University should emphasize the importance of energy conservation, renewable energy, waste management, conservation of water, waste management, green commuting, and supporting land ecosystems by implementing these strategies in the curriculum and daily activities of the university for sustainable development. Lovely Professional University is committed to take a green campus initiative by using the analytical approach in different phases by paving the ways to build leadership in teaching, learning, research and partnerships with the local and national communities to achieve sustainable development and promoting efficient natural resource management, developing sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices and biodiversity.
Universities being the hub of young people, therefore, they can mobilize them to future sustainable development goals. University should emphasize the importance of energy conservation, renewable energy, waste management, conservation of water, waste management, green commuting, and supporting land ecosystems by implementing these strategies in the curriculum and daily activities of the university for sustainable development. Lovely Professional University is committed to take a green campus initiative by using the analytical approach in different phases by paving the ways to build leadership in teaching, learning, research and partnerships with the local and national communities to achieve sustainable development and promoting efficient natural resource management, developing sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices and biodiversity.
Scope
The scope of these guidelines is to provide a roadmap with background and a broad conceptual framework for planning/implementing green campus strategies for sustainable development that includes energy conservation, renewable energy, waste management, conservation of water, green commuting, supporting land ecosystems, and educational programs for capacity building.
Objectives
- Optimization, monitor and regulation of the use of energy by identification of energy wastage, and energy performance index
- Establishment of efficient waste management practices for plastic, electronic, and biomedical, waste etc.
- Integrate and implement environmental management practices to support, conserve and restore the ecosystem, biodiversity, natural habitat and promote sustainability practices into our day-to-day operations.
- Ensure optimum land use, water management, and the conservation of natural resources.
- Empower and motivate staff and students through environmental awareness programmes.
- To provide the current campus facilities with national and international energy performance standards.
- To follow the national/international standards in building infrastructure and use of electric gadgets.
Energy conservation, green energy, carbon management for climate action
4.1 Energy wastage identification:
Energy wastage identification is a typical challenge so it is necessary to ensure efficient and optimized use of energy to reduce carbon emissions. University shall conduct an energy audit to optimize the consumption of energy throughout the university. Different zones shall be created within the university for the calculation and management of energy density. Each zone shall be having a set of buildings, based on the utilities and load of power consumption. The effective initiative shall be taken to reduce energy consumption per square meter. Therefore, the university shall take the following innovative actions for the identification of energy wastage:
- Identification of high energy consumption zones
- Identification of devices and equipment consuming high energy
- Identification of load distribution in different zones
- Identification of inadequate use of power consumption
- Identification of essential and non-essential operation
4.2 Renewable energy:
Now-a-days, renewable sources of energy are getting popularity due to clean energy generation. There are some advantages also because of more affordable, reliable and efficient with time. At present, promotion of the use of these sources is an important aspect to stop the exploitation of natural resources and to protect the planet from environmental pollution. Therefore, the university shall introduce and increase the use of different sources of renewable energy within the campus in a phased manner. The following sources and systems of renewable energy shall be installed:
- Solar power
- Solar water heating systems
- Solar distillation plants
- Biogas Plant
- Solar irrigation system
4.3 Partnership for clean energy:
Lovely Professional University is dedicated to explore all possibilities for healthy, clean and green environment. Therefore, University shall work with responsible organizations and industries to establish the clean energy solutions system like,
- Collaboration with different NGO’s/industries to solve practical problems related to energy and the environment
- Collaboration with industries working for clean/efficient energy solutions
- Promotion of collaborative research with industries related to the energy sector to develop more efficient renewable energy production system
4.4 Consultancy for the carbon-intensive energy industries:
- A committee shall be constructed to provide consultancy to the industries using carbon intensive energy specifically coal and oil.
- Committee shall evaluate the requirements of the industry and also responsible to provide timely solution
- Committee can appoint any person from the university having the qualification and expertise according to the requirements
- Committee shall recommend industries for the use of renewable energy
- Committee shall also guide the University to explore the divesting investments from carbon-intensive energy industries
Nurturing a Plastic-Free Environment: Advancing Campus Sustainability through Waste Management Practices
Lovely Professional University shall enforce rigorous measures, entailing an absolute ban on plastic goods, to champion environmental conservation by prohibiting the utilization of plastic products and materials in daily activities. This proactive initiative shall result in the transformation of LPU into a plastic-free campus, through the adoption of alternative facilities like water units to eliminate the reliance on plastic water bottles, use of cloth bags, paper bags instead of plastic goods in the campus is another crucial aspect of this ban on plastic which shall aligning seamlessly with LPU's dedicated commitment to cultivating a sustainable and environmentally responsible community.
The utilization of plastic and electronic gadgets by students and staff within the university premises generates a certain amount of waste that shall be minimized and recycled to ensure a sustainable environment and enhance community health. Consequently, the university shall implement specific initiatives to attain a 100% waste-free campus, further solidifying its dedication to sustainability and the well-being of the community.
Wastewater disposal
5.1 Wastewater disposal
- Wastewater from all buildings must be treated in in-house Sewage Treatment Plant. It must be ensured that the waste water arising from a lab needs to pre-treated with hypo as per standard Bio Medical Waste Management Guidelines 2018 and further amendments.
- The treated waster must be monitored for water quality check regularly.
- The treated water must be used for agricultural purposes, etc.
5.2 Waste segregation and disposal :
- Examine waste figures and undertake a waste audit. Such as the types of waste generation; sufficiency for prevention measures undertaken to reduce waste generation and the already used preventable measures.
- Plastic-free campus by adopting alternative facilities like water units to avoid the use of plastic water bottles and encourage the use of cloth bags, paper bags instead of plastic goods in the campus.
- Identification of recyclable waste
- Increase the use of recyclable material.
5.3 Waste disposal by categorization of waste material :
- Improvement in the waste management system for plastic, solid, electronic, biomedical and hazardous waste
- Implementation of government guidelines for disposal of biomedical and hazardous waste.
5.4 Trainings for waste disposal :
- Training and awareness for the utilization of recyclable materials and waste management
- Regular awareness drives and sensitization workshops on the harmful impacts of various types of waste and training on waste management
Conservation and reuse of water
Water is an integral part of human life. Natural resources are being exhausted to meet the increasing requirement of water because it doesn’t have a substitute. Therefore, recycling or reuse of water is important for sustainable development. University shall take the following initiatives for the water reuse within the campus.
6.1 Rainwater harvesting:Implementation of water conservation method like rainwater harvesting by having reverse bores, leakage repairs, and condensate recovery.
6.2 Water reuse practices:
- Implementation of water reuse approaches like recycling used water via sewage treatment plant, water plants from condensate water etc.
- Implementation of water recycling techniques including dissolved air flotation, biological treatment, granular activated carbon, softening, disinfection, deionization and filtration etc.
- Compliance with government guidelines for the water discharge to protect the ecosystem
- Ensure the quality of potable water
Sustainable commuting
Green transportation reduces carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and parking space. Encouraging commuting supports a healthy work-life balance, and walking and biking have environmental and health benefits. Therefore, the university promoting commuting among the staff and students.
- Electrical and solar energy-based vehicles and shuttle services
- Promotion of the use of bicycle
- Staffs, faculties should use electric cars, electric cars or battery-operated transportation means
- Preparation of walkway and pedestrians within the campus
- Promotion of car pooling
Biodiversity and Supporting land ecosystems through action
Ecosystem services or nature-based solutions are efficient and cost-effective in comparison to technical infrastructures. The university must recognize the importance of land ecosystem and support by implementing the following activities:
8.1 Landscaping University with Green cover:
- University must consider planting more number of trees, potted plants, climber (green buildings), etc. to meet net carbon neutrality.
- Traditional agriculture practices and sustainable farming/organic farming for reducing the use of pesticides.
- Landscape operations with Cultivation of different species/variety of flora
- Conservation of natural resources like forests, native plants and herbs, etc.
- Categorization of land ecosystem
8.2 Reduce GHG emissions:
- Reduce Greenhouse gas emissions by less dependence upon fossil fuels
- Promote use of renewable energy
- Applying sustainability principles to design, building, refurbishment and operation of our building and to the management of our campuses and biodiversity reserves
- Use star rated appliances, promote natural use of light and ventilation, etc.
8.3 Protection of endangered species:
Protection of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species that includes both plant and animal species.
8.4 Other activities:
- Educational academic programme.
- Identification and categorization of alien species for maintaining the records and research-based strategies to reduce the impact of alien species on crops.
Educational programmes and awareness for capacity building
University shall promote the awareness related to the environment and sustainable development among the students, staff and local community. Therefore, university shall conduct following activities for creating awareness:
- Inclusion of courses and programmes related to clean energy, environment and sustainable development
- Organize training and workshops for the students, staffs, and local community including the rural population for challenges and opportunities related to the protection of the environment and conservation of energy
- Dissemination activities for local people, industry and school students on green economy and circular economy
- Promotion of digitization and e-governance for execution of different academic and administrative tasks
- Promotion research and development for the energy and environment using an interdisciplinary approach
Closure
In establishing these guidelines, the LPU reinforces its commitment towards green campus efficient energy management, water, natural resources and act as a role model for sustainable practices. The university shall set up a committee for action and evaluation of green campus. The university holds the right to amend any of the point of this guideline without any prior information and announcement.
