The Campus Greening Agreement with Yangon University,

Agreement between Yangon University and GEGG Myanmar (not for profit Association) to Support

“Sustainable Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) Management for Greening of the Yangon University Campus Project”

24 November 2015

Preamble

Waste as a Resource is a fast emerging global paradigm in view of environmental degradation, pollution and resource constraints. Wastes when not properly managed are major health and well-being determinants and have negative visual and aesthetics impacts, affecting the image of a country. Universities have a major role to increase awareness, education and training and foster the paradigm change. It can also research and develop the science, technology, and management practices and the business and economic case of Waste as a Resource.

The MSW project is envisaged to be the first of a building block towards Waste as a Resource and the Vision and Objective of a Clan and Green Campus.

 gegg2

 

 Convocation Hall of University of Yangon

1. Project Background

Yangon University (also known as University of Yangon, UY), YU is the oldest national university in Myanmar established on 1st December 1920.  The campus is among the beautiful universities in the region with many trees, colonial style residences and students’ canteens located next to the Inya Lake in the prime area of Yangon city. In line with the Yangon University’s priority goals of maintaining the campus clean and green, the project idea was conceived in September 2015 by the Yangon University Green Group and approved by the Coordination Committee of Yangon University on 19 September 2015.

On 21 September 2015, GEGG’ U Kyaw Lwin Hla and Dr. Nay Htun met with Rector Dr. Pho Kaung, Pro-Rectors Dr. Kyaw Naing and Dr. Aung Kyaw and discussed the possible areas of collaboration which include the MSW Project.

2.  Goal

The overall goal of the Solid Waste Management Plan is to introduce the collection of municipal waste with trash bins placed in all the buildings and in the open campus area of the University. The three colour bins will be labled with waste types. Green for bio-degradable including food and kitchen waste, leaves, grass discarded branches and plants etc. Blue – recyclable waste including paper, cardboard, etc. Red for non-recyclable waste – light blubs, florescent tube, foam, batteries and hazardous wastes. A fourth colored (e.g Brown) bin for hazardous, toxic, e-wastes, will be added, once this is available.

This is a pilot project and if it proved to be successful, it could become a model project for other institutions in Myanmar to emulate.

3.  Objectives

The project has a number of objectives:

  • 3.1.  To educate the students and residential staff living in the campus about waste disposal system and emphasize the importance of social responsibilities.
  • 3.2. To establish a sustainable Waste Minimization, Segregation, Collection and Disposal Management System
  • 3.3. To convert the biodegradable waste into bio fertilizer using different composting methods; and choose the best method for efficiently producing good quality bio-fertilizer.
  • 3.4. To establish a marketing system for the bio-fertilizer and recyclable wastes and obtain maximum revenue from sale of these items.
  • 3.5. To provide a platform for expanding the transformational scope of the Greening of  Yangon University Campus Project

4.  Actions/Deliveries by the Yangon University.

  • All new students will be briefed and explained on the Solid Waste Minimization, Segregation, Collection and Disposal scheme introduced by the Yangon University.
  • Selection of volunteer students who are passionate supporters of the waste disposal and collection scheme will be invited to join the Yangon University Greening Group.
  • Green Group will organize frequent campaigns, seminars, and talk shows concerning waste disposal system and the social responsibilities of individuals.
  • Labeling colour trash bins for collecting different categories of wastes – Green bins for biodegradable waste; Blue bins for recyclable waste; and Red bins for non-recyclable waste. Bins are placed at the hostels, houses, canteens, departments, roads and open garden areas within the compound of YU. A fourth colored (e.g Brown) bin for hazardous, toxic, e-wastes, will be added, once this is available
  • Encourage the students and staff living in the campus to dispose different categories of wastes according to the label on the trash bins.
  • Biodegradable waste is collected daily and recyclable and non-recyclable wastes are collected on alternate days.
  • The collected three categories of wastes are sent to the waste collection site located in the campus.
  • Among wastes, biodegradable waste is converted into bio-fertilizer using effective micro-organisms.
  • In order to obtain best possible price and relevant advice for marketing bio-fertilizer and recyclable wastes such as plastics, papers, cardboards, all forms of metals, glass, etc., the management committee of the project will sought Expert’s advice from the UMFCCI.

 5. Actions/Deliveries by GEGG Myanmar Association

  • Dr. Nay Htun and Kyaw Lwin Hla had meeting on 21 September 2015 at Yangon University with Rector Dr. Pho Kaung, Pro-Rectors Dr. Kyaw Naing and Dr. Aung Kyaw and discussed the possible areas of collaboration which include the above mentioned project and the Yangon University to collaborate in the forthcoming 5 days event of Seminar, practical training and exhibition at the GEGG Center of Excellence for Greening and the ASEAN Institute for Green Economy, in the premise of the Department of Innovation and Research, MOST, Kanbe, Yankin.
  • Follow-up correspondence were exchanged with YU.  GEGG expressed interest in supportingthe Yangon University SWM Project for the Greening of Yangon University Campus, including providing catalytic funding
  • Follow up meeting with Project management team of two Associate Professors took place on 18 November and two GEGG colleagues also visited the proposed Project site
  • On 19 November, GEGG with Yangon University Project Management team went through the points required to Draft Agreement for the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Project.
  • The Agreement was signedon 24 November 2015.

 

GEGG (IN CLOSE CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH YU) will also:

  • Mobilize international transformational and translational scientific, technical and management knowledge, experience and expertise for the Project.
  • Mobilize additional funding
  • Link YU with Universities in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America that have exemplary Clean and green Campus projects / programmes .
  • Involve YU in the Annual GEGG Forum and Practice Events

6.  Expected Outcomes

  • A more conscious and responsible campus dwellers who will keep it litter free and clean.
  • A more aesthetically attractive and healthy living condition of the Yangon University Campus.
  • Waste Minimization, Segregation, Collection and Disposal Management System established.
  • Established Site for converting the degradable waste into bio-fertilizer using the best suitable and efficient composting method.
  • With the help and advice of UMFCCI, Marketing System for fertilizers and non-recyclable wastes should be in place. The income from above two categories of waste will help finance the operating costs of Yangon University Solid Waste Management Project.

It should be noted that the above “Expected Outcomes” are envisaged to yield results in the coming two years 2016 & 2017 as the project will end on 31 December 2017. GEGG-Myanmar assistance is to help with the start-up activities of the Project. The Yangon University has a small budget provision for this project.

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