CHULA Zero Waste. We do the reasons before doing the results.
Smudges in the heart
Going back in time, when the young man Varun Waranyanon traveled out of the volunteer camp in a country teacher project in a province in the north together with 16 friends.
At that time, he was a young man, highly confident in himself. Full of determination and ego Want to change the society for the better according to your beliefs He and friends Want to make the village on the hill without electricity In addition, the tap did not reach. With more prosperity But in the end, it turns out they were the ones that created the problem.
“Normally, the villagers there will burn the waste twice a month, but it turns out that after 17 or more of us, they have to burn the garbage every day. Or every other day Because we carry canned food, soft drinks, plastic bags and finally become garbage. Causing more trouble for the villagers than without water No more electricity. Turned out to be a high schooler like us, creating problems for him This is a story that we feel very ashamed of. Became a stain in the heart
“We intend that if one day there is an opportunity to work on waste management We will do our best. “
At that moment, Varun was not determined to deal with external waste. But it also means waste within your own heart
The garbage problem in Chula
From the statistical data collection, Chulalongkorn University produces as much as 2,000 tons of waste per year. Including wanting to create a good conscience for the people in the institute regarding waste management Chulalongkorn University has therefore created the CHULA Zero Waste project with the goal of reducing at least 30% of the waste within the university by the end of 2021 or 5 years from the project start date.
During the initial phase of the project, Dr. Suchitra Wassana Damrongdee, as the project manager, already prepared the work team. Varun, who has a crush on working in waste, is an original scholarship. Upon hearing the news that the said project will occur, so do not hesitate to request to be part of the team immediately.
“At that time, he had found all the people. But we only got to know about it later, so I went in to ask Dr. Suchitra, the project manager. You are welcome to tell me to come and do this work together. “
Currently Varun or the people in Chula Known as ‘Ajarn Win’ as a consultant for industrial partners. Center of excellence He also has a role as an assistant to the CHULA Zero Waste project. It can be compared to being a head-on drill that helps to tackle problems and make goals real.
Real information is important.
In the period before the project began Varun and the CHULA Zero Waste team all spent the first 3 months collecting data. The reason that the 43-year-old teacher and the working group are so important to collecting this information is because They will know everything about garbage. In Chula, what kind of waste has a lot? What kind of waste should be the target to reduce or stop using? How should management measures and methods be laid? Not only walking forward But don’t know the destination Which is almost no different from setting up the wrong button from the first tablet
“We attach great importance to data collection. Because all our plans and policies are made from data Therefore, the information that we have obtained must be tight and most importantly it must be true information. For this reason, we and the team took ourselves to go ahead. “
It is said that everything in this world, if we are true with it It will be true to us. Varun and the CHULA Zero Waste team went to search and dig the trash in the university by themselves. Throw away the mastermind’s discard Act like a garbage collector And even having to face messy stains The smell of rotten But they are willing to do this job willingly
“We took the trash out and poured into it to see what’s inside. What kind of waste does people throw away? What kind of waste does each faculty have? What waste is a single-use waste throw away? Which doing this kind of information will let us know what the truth is So that the policy can be placed correctly
“As we poured out the bins, we can see that the most common rubbish is a single-use disposable plastic bag. While there are a lot of food scraps No matter what, its destination must be in the trash. “
After receiving the information, the CHULA Zero Waste working group started brainstorming and planning the management of each type of waste, each with different operational plans. However, in principle, they adhere to the 3R principle: Reduce, Reduce Reuse, Reuse, and Recycle. Same as other areas But will mainly focus on the first 2 points
“We will mainly focus on the first 2 points. Because if we can handle these 2 things, the cause Will not cause more garbage, while Article 3 is the solution after the garbage has occurred Of course, to solve the first two things, the thing that has to be changed is the behavior and habits of university people which are much more difficult. “
Reduce the use of single-use plastic bags and then discard.
Ajarn Varun and the CHULA Zero Waste Working Group focus on reducing the use of single-use plastic bags, which are considered biodegradable and often one-time used. From the information from 7-Eleven and cooperative stores in the university It was found that each month a total of 130,000 plastic bags were picked up. In the beginning, the working group started with a soft dose. For the first time By asking the sellers in each store to ask customers whether they would pick up the plastic bags or not That’s just how much usage has been reduced by 1 in 3.
“We started with a campaign asking the seller to voluntarily ask customers whether to receive the bag or not. Or maybe just say that I can not take the plastic bag. Just this, the next drawdown was reduced from 130,000 down to 90,000, which is likely good. The next step is to add more strength to the drug.
“In the next step, we let the seller tell the buyer that we don’t have plastic bags already. If wanting, must pay 2 baht to understand the value of the purchased plastic bag and reuse Which the proceeds we will take to the university’s environmental fund The results showed that from 90,000 to just 10,000, we reduced the use of plastic bags by more than 90 percent. Later, we expanded the scope to the market, book center and cafeteria. Doesn’t stop at just 7-Eleven And cooperative stores only “
To this day, the CHULA Zero Waste project has been started for 3 years. The university has reduced the use of plastic bags to over 4 million, which is a beautiful achievement. However, the head of CHULA Zero Waste insists that until this day everything is not easy. Every team has to fight with a little bit of friction. Especially in the beginning that most people don’t understand
“In the beginning, we were cursed a lot. Both via social media Both the ambient sound from both the seller and the buyer He asked why he didn’t give a bag, it was his right. Some would ask, if not in the bag, then what to put in? Why is that Why do this, etc., but this is something that we had originally thought would have to meet. Which we have already prepared ourselves, so there is no problem Another thing that is very important. Is that top management sees the importance of this project In which you both provide budget support and also issue written policies “
The written policy of Professor Dr. Bandit Ua-arporn, President of Chulalongkorn University Helps the operation of CHULA Zero Waste to be more smooth. As well as helping to reduce the resistance from less than those who disagree Because there is clear evidence in the policy Not just words But no matter what, there are still some shops that disagree and refuse to comply. Which is also the matter that the team prepared to reserve to deal with before the project started as well
The reason must come first.
“When we plan after getting the information, we don’t just think about how to manage But we must also analyze the problems and obstacles that will happen on the way. If that happens then how do we handle it? As for the problem of the shops that line up still violating the distribution of plastic bags, it is a problem that we had originally thought. Then we have the steps to manage. First, we will make a verbal warning and record. If still do, we will take measures. The second step is to issue a warning letter. If still stubborn, we will invite. Which is considered a final decisive measure, but most will end with only the first, with the smallest reaching the second As for the last item, up to now
“However, in the operation process, we have various measures. Adjusted as appropriate We will update the plan all the time. For example, reducing the use of tubes Which we have been facing with the strong resistance both from the vendors And the client himself Like a customer, they ask that if they don’t use straws then they will suck water from If drinking from a bottle How confident are you that the bottle is clean enough? In the end, it turned out that we had to step back. And then adjusting the new method to take the lamp to a distance To make it difficult to use tubes instead “
If you analyze all the things that the young master has arranged, it can be seen that CHULA Zero Waste is very focused and focused on planning and policy. Whether it is a matter of finding information, planning each type of waste management systematically, including dealing with obstacles that will occur on the way. And having a variety of integrated measures to ensure continuous work, etc. Which is considered to be very accurate because if you want your work to come out well, then you should do the good reasoning first.
Everything in this world must always come before results.
Although not yet reached the goal but did not give up
In addition to the enormous reduction of plastic bags, the team also campaigns for students and personnel in Chulalongkorn University. Changing behavior and turning to using personalized cloth bags and glasses.
Currently, from data collection, more than 90 percent of people have turned to use cloth bags in Chula, while in terms of glasses, the university has created a system to maintain and inspect the quality of water dispensers installed within the institution. 80 dispensers including a water bottle distributed to all new students enrolled in Year 1, which nowadays has increased to 15 percent of personal water bottles from Ing less than 1 percent at all. As for the waste separation of Chulalongkorn University Has divided the waste into 4 types which are 1. Food waste 2. Recyclable waste such as paper, water bottles, metal, glass etc. 3. General waste and 4. Hazardous waste, with all types of waste having their own path altogether.
“The food waste, we will focus on campaigning for everyone to eat all the dishes because it will not cause waste. But if left, we will have a plan and methods to be sorted down to make those garbage most useful Which we will use as animal feed first If still remaining, it will be converted into energy such as biodiesel production. Then produce compost from food waste Right here, our fertilizer plant has a Bio-Digester Machine that converts food waste into fertilizer. And able to receive up to 1.2 tons of food waste per day. For recyclable waste, we will ask the housekeeper to sort it and then sell it as their income. Which one cannot be sold We will send to the factory to burn to use as a replacement fuel. In terms of general waste, we will use it in landfill correctly. As for hazardous waste, we have more than 20 dumping points around the campus, some of which will be sent to factories for recycling. While the other part will also be properly buried in landfill.
“In all these 4 types of waste, we will focus on general waste. Which, when we take the separation and move forward with serious waste This type of waste must be reduced. In the past, this number used to be as high as 2,000 tons per year. We set a target of 30 percent reduction within 5 years. “
At this time, after carrying out the project for 3 years, the amount of garbage within Chulalongkorn University has decreased to an average of only 350 tons per year, which, of course, is still quite far from the intended point. However, the trip has not reached its destination. It does not mean that everyone in the CHULA Zero Waste will stop, turn or abandon their journey. On the contrary, everyone still has hope. Happy to do good things For your own institution
“If the target is not reached yet But we never thought to give up or give up. We still have hope of doing good things. And if asked what is the motivation that makes us continue to enjoy this work Is this thing. “
The teacher Varun said with sparkling eyes as he turned the notebook out, in which there was a royal image and speech of King Rama IX on the screen.
“Doing good is difficult and slow results But must be done Because it is not evil which is easily done Will replace And will build up quickly without being aware of it.”
This is an important driving force for CHULA Zero Waste to continue moving forward.
No matter how many obstacles you must overcome.
Glass to save the world
Before the CHULA Zero Waste project began, Chulalongkorn University had about 2 million plastic waste wastes per year. This happened as a count only in 17 cafeterias not from other areas. Of course, if this was the case Glass, plastic, which is a single-use waste, probably stacked in full of Chamchuri fence
“We managed to solve the problem of water glasses by switching to a new glass using 3 integrated methods which are 1. Technology 2. Economic measures and 3. Integrated management
“In technology, we use biodegradable technology into every glass. If throwing a glass into the compost heap Kaew will decompose within 4-6 months in economics. We use the 2 baht discount method, which is like giving a reward to buyers who bring their own glasses. As for the last one, unified management Our institution has made a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Forestry to use our glass to grow trees instead of black bags. Which in addition to reducing plastic from the use of black bags It is also more convenient because the tree can be brought into the ground. Because over time the glass will decompose by itself. “
Currently, plastic waste from 17 cafeterias in Chulalongkorn University has zero numbers. While all the glasses of water were sent to the Royal Forest Department for use
It is not an exaggeration in any way. To say that this is a true quality waste management.
We invest for you to walk.
If we enter Chulalongkorn University We can see that traveling on campus, many things are traveling for the environment. Buses and pop-electric cars, scooters and bicycles – these are the trips that are regularly seen. However, the things that the university attaches great importance And willing to invest in people within Chula Used for traveling is ‘walking’
Because this is the basic, easiest and most economical trip Importantly, it is a journey that does not add even more pollution to the environment.
“Having said that, the university invested millions in the construction of passages. Which, in addition to our walkway, is a pathway that blocks up to 98% of the sun, known as almost all routes Can still connect to and walk across all faculties in the university, whether on the same side or on the opposite side
“The reason the university spends so much money is to campaign for people to reduce travel that consumes energy without adding carbon dioxide to the environment. In addition, it is considered a benefit from exercise. “
Although there is no official record But just looking with the naked eye will know that people in Chulalongkorn University Turned around and walked on foot a lot It is an investment in basic things that are both simple, beautiful, and successful.
Adul Chowkratok – “Uncle wants this project to continue.”
“Uncle worked at Chulalongkorn for 31 years and is a maintenance technician. Now he has to work for another year and will retire.
“Accept that the uncle himself does not have much knowledge or attention to waste management. When he first started the project, he thought that it would really work. But as time passed, they felt that they were doing it seriously He separated the waste into a system of regulations. And now the people in Chulalongkorn University Use resources efficiently Like this, the focus is on the use of cloth bags. After finished, still can be used
“With working for a long time, uncle has seen since the era that people in Chulalongkorn University Still do not know the separation of garbage, there is something dumped together in one bucket Until now, at reducing the use of plastic bags and then separate the waste seriously. Uncle said that this is better. It makes Chula cleaner and more importantly, people will eat. Use or discard anything, will think more. I don’t know when this project will go, but honestly I don’t want to give up.
“Uncle wants this project to continue.“
“What we desire must come”
The key to the success of the CHULA Zero Waste project is not based on getting real information. Systematic planning preparation Operational process with various measures Or only knowing how to improve the work plan at all times But one important factor is the participation in the work of personnel at every level of the university.
Ordered from the president that sees the importance of budget allocation in the operation. Issued a clearly written policy All the participating teachers, who come to manage the garbage themselves. The merchants, although some may have reluctantly disintegrated, but in general they cooperate in the implementation of the policy as well. To the students that join together helping each other to give Chulalongkorn University Is a university that can handle waste efficiently
Beam-Niphon Ponsawat, 4th year student of the Faculty of Engineering As the president of the CHULA Zero Waste Club, it is confirmed that students at Chulalongkorn University are currently Was very alert about this, compared to when starting a new project
“Our main duty at this time is to create a team of students in the club to manage waste at the Central Library. Which is considered the center of waste separation of the university We have to work with the housekeeper and the physical department so that each type of garbage can travel correctly according to the route they should go. At the same time, we will have a duty to publicize to general students to access the activities of the project as well. Since we are students too, communication among themselves is easier to access.
“Compared to before, must consider that now students are very alert Because of never being interested At least now they are aware that the garbage problem is not a small matter. We can see that they started using cloth bags. Began to use water bottles Began to separate more waste Which, if we can make him turn to move forward in matters of waste management at all We believe that Chula Will definitely change Since this is the group of people with the largest number in Chula
“Our main goal is to make this group of people aware of waste management as seriously and sustainably as possible. It is true that today he is more aware. But we still want to make it more dramatic. We want everyone to pay attention and produce as little waste as possible. We will try to do this job to the best of our ability.
“It may not be that easy. But believe that sooner or later What we desire must come”
