Introduction
Sustainability is one of the most crucial issues of the 21st century when it comes to development. In essence, countries, institutions, and individuals are seeking to engage in sustainable development practices (Mesci, Coruh & Ergun 75). Ottawa University is one of the institutions that have embraced sustainable practices. As such, the administration has developed a Campus Sustainability Office that is mandated to instill this ideology among students. As a result, it is critically important to come up with strategies that can support this venture.
Of course, this development can be achieved by assessing individual conduct, collecting data, and documenting it in order to recommend some practices. The aspects indicated in the collected data will be analyzed in relation to a broader context to determine how the campus can adopt the conventional strategy. Particularly, the broader context focus on the 3R’s of environmental protections that include reusing, recycling and reducing consumption. Accordingly, the paper seeks to accomplish these objectives as shown in this list.
- To present the data obtained regarding to the recycling, reusing, and reducing in the campus.
- To identify some of the challenges that counter the university members in their pursuit to reuse, recycle and reduce consumption.
- To indicate the importance of engaging in recycling, reusing, and reducing the consumed resources in campus.
- To make recommendations comprising of the relevant strategies that can apply to the campus.
Methods
In regard to the methodology used, it is important to understand that this report required both a deep and extensive research. In accordance to the objectives listed in the previous paragraph, this research is aimed to answer four research questions as shown in this case.
- What are some of the environmental issues indicated in the data collected?
- What challenges do the university members when seeking to engage in reusing, recycling, and reducing the consumption in the campus?
- What is the importance of reusing, recycling, and reducing consumption in the campus?
- How can the university members incorporate some of the strategies in the system to ensure sustainable development?
In order to answer these four questions, observational method was applied diligently to determine some of the critical issues that characterize the campus. These observations were made with regards to the management of waste material. Importantly, these observations were conducted in relation to individual behaviors when handling waste materials. In addition to the observations, interviews were conducted around the university where the target population included students, staff members and administrative personnel. Lastly, secondary research was conducted to identify some of the critical determinations that have been made previously. For example, the importance of clean drinking water and the effect of non-biodegradable were sought from previous journals. The combination of the three methodologies was a fundamental undertaking aimed to make credible and reliable determinations.
Results and Discussions
Environmental Issues Observed
Disposal of plastic bags is one of the critical environmental issues facing the campus. For several days, it was noted that plastic bags were used to carry some goods and reused to avoid misplacement. Indeed, it is an indication that the university is using the plastic bags to a large extent. As such, it is evident that plastic bags are made of Poly Vinyl Chloride. This implies that the paper cannot decompose when they are disposed on the surface of the soil. As a result, the university is exposed to a great risk of having plastic bags around the compound.
Accordingly, the serenity and the fertility of the soil will be at stake. In addition, the campus may undergo a huge cost due to the use of plastic bags if they are used and disposed haphazardly. This possibility requires an appropriate action to ensure that the plastic bags are handled in a manner that favors the environmental fitness. Another relevant issue related to the plastic bags is the use of A4 paper in the campus. It was observed that the A4 papers are used in huge quantities. In the data collected, some used A4 papers required to be handled. This condition implied that the campus should come up with strategies to ensure that the A4 papers are handled appropriately.
According to the data, the second critical observation regarded the use of water in the campus. First, the storage of drinking water comes out evidently in accordance to the indications of the data collected. Indeed, drinking water should be stored in a manner that does not compromise its quality. This importance is based on the fact that the contamination of drinking water may lead to poor health. As such, waterborne diseases are some of the most challenging complications in health (Sohn & Koellhoffer 276).
The utilization of electronic energy is another issue of concern in the campus because the administration has allowed unlimited consumption. Indeed, management of the energy used during the day-to-day chores is of critical important. Importantly, this part of the resources requires high awareness concerning the reduction of consumption. Of course, it is very difficult to reuse of recycle electrical energy since it is used in the performance of technical tasks.
However, the campus has a mandate and the opportunity to cut the amount of electricity used in the course of these chores. The lighting bulbs are some of the avenues that lead to the loss of electrical energy. In essence, students are used to leaving the bulbs lighting even when they are not in use. As such, they consume energy that does not give any returns to the students and the campus. Essentially, this is an unsustainable practice in all dimensions that can possibly apply when viewing the concern.
In addition to the bulbs, there are some instances where electricity is used to accomplish tasks that can be handled naturally. For example, washed clothes are put on the driers despite the existence of traditional methods. In some case, students put the clothes on the driers in order to facilitate fast and convenient accomplishment of the task. However, they use a lot of energy as compared to the sun drying. The tendency can be considered as a critical concern when it comes to the idea of reducing consumption.
In accordance to the above exemplifications, there are various issues that have been identified as the pertinent aspects of this discussion. First, the recycling of used goods has been a central point of concern. This concern arises from the fact that students are handling material that cannot decompose easily. As a result, they have the mandate to identify ways of recycling them. The second issue relates to reusing some of the used products in order to ensure sustainable lives. The third concern is related to the willingness of students and other university members to reduce consumption of various resources. For example, electricity and water are some of the resources that should be considered with regards to this interest.
Challenges Experienced
Indeed, there are a number of challenges met when seeking to engage in sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. First, the university administration, members of staff, and the students have not adopted a common approach to dealing with environmental issues. In this campus, it is evident that students and the authorities act separately to ensure that consumed products are reused, recycled and reduced. As such, the two parties do not coordinate closely and collaborate objectively to ensure proper handling of waste products. As such, they can engage in any undertaking that resonate with their preferences without knowing the real effect of their decisions.
Secondly, students are part of loose end that facilitates the bigger part environmental degradation in the campus. The management of funds is undertaken by the campus administration. They are committed to ensure that the resources are used correctly and sufficiently. However, most students do not pay close attention to the management of products. In addition, they are destined to stay in the school for a short period.
As such, they might not be concerned about the future environmental impacts incurred by the school because they will leave. This might prompt them to ignore the proper handling of waste products. Furthermore, students receive money from their parents and guardians. As a result, they might be prompted to ignore the reuse of products such as plastic paper bags and A4 papers to reduce their living cost. Instead, the idea of buying these products rather than reusing them might be prevalent in the campus.
Third, the students lack the objective incentive that drives the passion of conserving the environment by handling the waste products properly. When there is no motivation towards the proper disposal of used products and usability of some commodities, students pay very little attention to the entire undertaking. Indeed, people who are committed to the environment must understand the importance of conserving it. This implies that it is a value that should be learned from the people surrounding the person in question. As a result, the low motivation towards the proper handling of waste products should be addresses. Lastly, the campus does not have sufficient policies that enforce conservational behaviors with regards to the waste products. In case these policies exist, they have not been applied effectively among the students’ fraternity.
Conclusion
It is evident that management of waste is a crucial concern when it comes to the creation of sustainable development in the campus. Some of the critical challenges incurred include the disparities of students and administration interests in environment. Additionally, the students are essentially ignorant about environmental diligence in the campus. These challenges can be eliminated if the campus adopts an inclusive approach and create awareness concerning proper waste management.
Indeed, the 3R model will have positive importance on the sustainable agenda of the campus. When dealing with waste products, the 3R model is one of the most effective concepts that can be applied. It ensures that the involved institution is sustainable in terms of its economic and environmental capacities. Obviously, the reduction of the used resources plays a fundamentally vital role to cut the amount of waste products. In addition, it reduced the cost incurred by the institutions during its daily operations.
As such, the reduction of waste product protects the environment from degradation and the haphazard disposal of waste materials. This implies that the environment is conserved appropriately in accordance to best practices. On the other hand, the reduction of the used products decreases the cost of operation. This undertaking takes care of the economic sufficiency. As a result, the environmental and economic capabilities arising from the above undertaking facilitate sustainable growth of an institution. In that regard, therefore, it can be considered as one of the most critical models as far as sustainability is concerned.
Recommendations
There are various strategies and undertakings that can ensure the creation of a sustainable campus.
- The campus authorities should adopt an inclusive approach when dealing with issues of waste management. In this case, they should facilitate a system where both students and the staff members own the campus to have a sense of belonging. This condition will ensure that all the members are seeking to handle the waste products appropriately for the good of the campus sustainable agenda. Indeed, the commitment of one group and the ignorance of the other one will not give viable results. However, when the two parties coordinate collaboratively, they can easily create a sustainable system as far as waste management is concerned.
- The administrative arm of the campus and the students should convene meeting conventions to instill the ideology of proper waste management. This will ensure that all students are motivated to engage in active conservation activities. Furthermore, this will reinforce the idea of inclusiveness when it comes to harmonizing the efforts of students and staff members.
- The campus should create some avenues where waste products can be recycled and reused. For example, they might develop an artistic club where students use the A4 papers to create some attractive commodities. In fact, they can create some artistic commodities that could earn money for the students to pay their fees. In this regard, they will support students to become financially independent and foster the spirit of sustainable development.
- The garbage disposal points and water dispensers should be provided to ensure appropriate disposal of waste food as well as access of clean drinking water respectively.
Works Cited
Mesci, Brooke, Sameer Coruh, and Oduor Ergun. “Nonbiodegradable Characteristic of Polythene Bags.” Waste Management & Research (2009): 70-77. Print.
Sohn, Emily, and Tara Koellhoffer. The Environment. New York, NY: Chelsea Clubhouse, 2006. Print.