Waste management
KMITL has the toxic waste storage and disposal policy implemented throughout the campus. Separate bins for hazardous wastes are provided. Collected hazardous wastes have been properly disposed at a licensed disposal facility. Laboratory wastes were collected by a waste management company weekly. The wastes would then be disposed in compliance with the Public Health Act of B.E.2535.
The amount of municipal wastes and hazardous wastes were recorded before they were sent for disposal and recycled. Some organic wastes were composed and used as compost for fertilizing plants on campus. This in-house compost program is deemed environmentally friendly and can save some costs of plant maintenance. When a large and excessive amount of compost are produced, the excessive amount will be distributed to members of KMITL and our nearby communities. Food wastes were bought by local farmers, who then use them as food for fish. Some food wastes are used on campus by the Faculty of Agricultural Technology for feeding livestock raised for educational purposes.
Programs to reduce the use of plastic and disposable items
KMITL has implemented a policy and various projects to reduce the use of plastics and disposable items and raise awareness of the danger of plastic to living organisms, including aquatic animals. These projects also build environmental awareness among students and personnel and encourage them to become a socially and the environmentally responsible consumer in line with the UN’s “Beating Plastic Pollution” goal and Sustainable Development Goals. KMITL has collaborated with organizations and agencies, such as the Sustainable University Network of Thailand and CP All Public Company Limited, to reduce the use of plastic as follows:
- Reduce the use of plastic cup waste. Convenience stores offer discounts for customers who bring their own cups.
- Cancel the use of foam containers in both convenience stores and the institute’s canteen.
- Reducing plastics bottles by providing you with coffee cups, tumblers and travel mugs.
- Reducing the use of plastic bags, except for hot items. Sell or lend cloth bags instead.
- ‘No plastic straw’ drinking without straw campaign to reduce the use of plastic utensils and straws. Convenience store clerks and all seller will always ask customers first whether they need plastic utensils or straws.
- Reusing paper for reducing paper usage and conserve natural resources
- KMITL has collaborated with Kid Kid Company Limited to use the “ECOLIFE” application in both convenience stores and other stores within the institute to encourage staff and all students to reduce the using of plastic as glasses, straws and plastic bags by giving reward points for goods redemption. Smart phones are very popular today and provide a convenient way to evaluate and measure operating results. This application will collect information about the use of plastic containers and utensils from the application’s user. As a result of a serious campaign and public relations, KMITL was able to reduce the use of plastic bags in the institute’s convenience stores by up to 50,000 bags per month.