Characterization of solid waste at the University of Sciences and Arts of Chiapas for sustainable management purposes

This paper presents the results obtained from a study of solid waste generation and quantification, carried out at an educational institution in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. The current conditions of waste management were also analyzed and some improvement strategies were proposed. The work carried out permitted to determine the per capita generation rates (0.048 kg/person-day). Through the study of the waste composition, it was found that the main fraction was plastic (35.135%), particularly PET (16.892%), followed by other fractions that can be recycled or treated, such as paper and cardboard (14.998%), as well as glass (3.039%) and metals (1.603%). The fraction of non-recyclable waste (38.397%) is made up of high volumetric weight sub-products, such as toilet paper (22.648%), as well as construction material waste (9.890%). Based on the results obtained, waste management strategies are proposed to improve the current situation, including the implementation of educational campaigns on waste separation, as well as training in solid waste management, both for the cleaning staff of the educational institution as well as for the school cafeteria staff. It is also proposed to restrict the use of PS plastic used at academic events or in the school cafeteria to reduce its generation. Finally, engineering strategies are proposed, such as the design and location of containers for plastic waste within the educational institution.