Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 1

Objective
The objective of this report is to investigate the feasibility of establishing a recycling
program for BUET. The scope of this investigation is restrained to that waste generated on
BUET only. It is not the objective of this report to describe all possible methods of recycling.
Rather, the focus is upon what Bangladesh University of Engineering Technology (BUET) can do
right now to enter into solid waste recycling, with minimal investment.

Certainly several higher technology methods than those presented within this writing exist, but
the low tipping (landfill disposal) costs do not yet justify such measures and probably will not, in
this area, until well into the twenty-second century. At that time and indeed as long as any
system is in use, the situation should be periodically evaluated and/or updated as wanted.
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 2

Introduction
Waste is an unavoidable by product of human activities Economic development, urbanization
and improving living standards in cities, have led to an increase in the quantity and complexity
of generated waste. Rapid growth of population and industrialization degrades the urban
environment and places serious stress on natural resources, which undermines equitable and
sustainable development. Inefficient management and disposal of solid waste is an obvious
cause of degradation of the environment in most cities of the developing world. Municipal
corporations of the developing countries are not able to handle increasing quantities of waste,
which results in uncollected waste on roads and in other public places. There is a need to work
towards a sustainable waste management system, which requires environmental, institutional,
financial, economic and social sustainability.

In Dhaka, the Capital City of Bangladesh is expanding rapidly turning it into a mega city with an
enormous growth of population at a rate of around 6 percent a year. Solid wastes are being
generated at a faster pace, posing a serious management threat. We are running out of room
and costs are steadily increasing. We must reduce the amount that is disposed of in these
landfills. In addition to the physical and economical aspects of land filling trash, there are also
the moral and ecological concerns. Simply continuing to bury recyclable materials as trash is
nothing more than passing a problem along to future generations. We must do what we can to
minimize the use of landfills right now. One solution is to simply reduce the volume to be
disposed of by recycling a portion of it.

Composition of solid waste

Clothes Polythene Paper

Food waste
Solid Waste Hospital
waste

Brick,wood, Industrial Other waste

metal,glass waste
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 3

Local Municipal Programs

Current (2013-2014) waste generation in Bangladesh is around 22,4 million tonnes per year
or150 kg/cap/year. There is an increasing rate of waste generation in Bangladesh and it is
projected to reach 47, 064 tons per day by 2025. The Waste Generation Rate (kg/cap/day) is
expected to increase to 0.6 in 2025.

The total waste collection rate in major cities of Bangladesh such as Dhaka is only 37%. And
waste collection in BUET is a insignificant portion of this 37% as the area of BUET is not much. In
Dhaka, Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) is in charge of waste management. The indiscriminate
disposal of Hospital and Clinical Waste, presence of extremely high level of

Total and Facial coliform and for many other reasons, waste is collected by local communities.

In BUET, waste from campus, adjacent teachers residential quarters and halls are collected by
locally appointed workers.

The whole solid waste collection and disposal is shown below:

Wastes in campus, residential quarter and

residential halls

Collected by waste collectors

Dumped in nearby dustbin (near Sonali Bank

in palashi bazar)

DCC trucks collect wastes every morning

 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 4

Problem quantification:
BUET currently produces about 7600 tons of solid waste annually and spends a total of ৳
618.4 per ton to dispose of it. The waste is all collected and sorted by BUET staffs and the rest
is discarded in dustbin near Sonali Bank in Palashi Bazar .

The waste stream consists of mostly paper -this portion is estimated at 60%. The remainder is
small portions (perhaps 5% each) of aluminum cans, plastics, glass bottles, wood and metals.
The pie chart is a graphic illustration of this breakdown.

RECYCLABLE WASTE PROPORTIONS

Papers
Lab Wastages
Wood
Metal
Plastic
Others

BUET buys computer, multi-media projector and other electrical equipment every year. These
equipment come in cardboards. After equipment is emptied from these cardboards, they are
dumped as waste.

Behind the department of civil engineering buildings, wastes from concrete lab are discarded.
These wastes are normally broken cylinder from cylinder tests, broken square blocks, used
sands, broken bricks etc. Year after year these piles of wastes are kept exposed to open air
without taking any action to clean the place. Meanwhile, plenty of plants have rooted over
these piles of garbage making it a fixed ground to grow.

A big percentage of wastes come from the paper that the department use yearly. A lot of
money is spent to buy papers. These papers are used as examination papers, examination
questions and other official works. These papers after use are sold to hawkers at a low price.
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 5

Used paper Hawkers Small

Paper dealer

Newsprint
Large paper dealer
(After processing)

A lot of woods from carpentry shop, metals from machine shop and welding shop is counted as
waste after their use in shop. Among other wastes there is plastic glass and containers, paper
bags, polythene bag. Most of these wastes come from cafeteria. These are the result of sheer
negligence of students. This scenario could easily be changed if the students become more
careful about their action.

Current Campus Recycling:

The few recycling activities currently happening in BUET are scattered and unrelated, for the
most part. It appears that the desire to recycle does exist however, because the efforts are on
the part and initiative of individuals and separate building staffs.

Recently an attempt was taken by the head of carpentry shop to make furniture using
cardboard. This is a good initiative to recycle cardboard.

A road adjacent to teacher’s club is under construction. The main purpose of this
construction is to elevate the road and use reinforcement to withstand enough strength in
flood season. For experimentation, waste aggregate is used in this construction. A narrow lane
has already been constructed with these aggregate and it is working fine.

Other than that, teachers are always working on recycling. They come up with different
recycling plan and implement them in campus.

BUET authority holds different conferences all year long. The recycling activities that BUET
applies are quite unorganized. A better plan can make the waste management program
successful.
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 6

Recycling Market
As mentioned above, one of the major potential drawbacks to effective and economical
recycling is the uncertainty of the markets. We gathered information from some paper
manufacturing company to see the market price of paper. The manufacture of paper oscillates
depending on season. It is in its peak in election season due to leaflet and poster of different
candidates. Other than that, the manufacture of paper is good in May-June and October-
December due to examination of different educational institutions. The price of the paper
varies with the manufacture of paper. The current price of computer paper is 130 taka per ton,
card board 180 taka per ton, newspaper 60 taka per ton and mixed paper 120 taka per ton. The
current price of stone chips is 7200 taka per ton and brick chips is 6500 taka per ton.

Proposed System
Following is an outline of a suggested procedure for implementation of a recycling program for
BUET campus. The program would consist of three phases, each one building upon while
retaining the former one(s). Using this approach, the financial impact is lessened dramatically
and more flexibility exists.

PHASE I
 Running a pilot program just in the Civil Faculty Building perimeter.
 It will consist of a Project Manager preferably a respected member of the Civil Faculty
teachers and a group of students.
 The aim is to collect the recyclables from office rooms as well as classrooms and labs in
sophisticated trash cans, cardboard cans and lage plastic desk boxes.
 Then separate them categorically as specified in Problem Quantification section.
 A step van will be in operation to carry them to suitable recycling markets that have been
chosen for the items; where these recyclable wastes disposals can be sold and reused such
as in the case of newsprint that can be later used as exam questionnaire sheets.
 Depending on the feasibility of this 6 month long program and analyzing the budget
estimations in three different scenarios—Pessimistic, Median and Optimistic, further
strengthening for Phase II will be evaluated.
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 7

PHASE II
 Expanding the pilot program undertaken in previous phase all throughout the other
Faculty buildings.
 More number of students will be employed along with respective Faculty teacher as
directors.
 Locations for trash cans, sizes of cans and boxes also the quantity of cans will be
increased.
 5 step vans will be in operation to transport the recyclables to nearby market.
 Based on the evaluation of this 6 month long phase, reinforcement for the next phase will
be decided. For campus wide waste management program, this phase is pretty much
important to succeed.

PHASE III
 This phase will include the halls as well as the 5 faculty buildings.
 13 directors representing the 5 Faculties and 8 Halls will be co-coordinating the program
simultaneously.
 30+ students will be employed in 20 hrs a week basis work-study program.
 Over 5000 trash cans and disposable cardboard boxes will be deployed all over the campus.
 More than 10 step vans will be in action to transport these recyclables to the market.
 Aiming for the Median case scenario this phase is bound to be success resulting in profit for this
waste management program.

Outcome
 For the first time, BUET will have a work-study program that will involve students being
employed for a year-long program.
 BUET authority will earn profit from the waste management program, if implemented
successfully, that can be further reinforced in developing the infrastructural or
sociological projects.
 This program will be an inspiration for such self-dependent projects, and in no time
BUET will host such programs. These will add weights to the institution’s honor and
worldwide ranking.
 Students are hopefully expected to be equipped with better communication skills and
practical real work based experiences that will enhance their career ahead.
 BUET will be a role model for other universities countrywide, for recyclables processing
and setting an example of earning yearly good turnovers just by deciding to recycle rather
than dumping.
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 8

Implementation Plan
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 9

Project Personnel
Nearly all current campus recycling programs began as student initiatives. That is, they were
originally conceived of, implemented and operated solely by student groups. It is important to
involve the student population in order to change the mindset of the current (and future)
generation that we can just continue to toss all waste in the trash can and haul it off and bury it
in a landfill. Thus, the BUET student body needs to be involved.

The Work/Study program at BUET would be an excellent source of student labor to support the
program. The only restriction is that the student can work twenty hours per week, maximum,
until the money is gone.

A position in the recycling program would be an excellent learning experience for students in
several majors, ranging from civil/environmental engineering, to chemical engineering, to CSE.
The involvement of the custodial staffs is essential as well. Because of the transient nature of
the student staff (semester breaks, graduation, etc.), a consistent element is critical for
program continuity.

PHASE Role Project Skill Required No. Category Estimated Duration

Responsibility of Start Required
Staff Date
Phase 1: Director Lead Team, Project 1 Assistant Professor 6 months
Pilot Report Status Management from Civil Faculty
Program Collector/Seller Collect Cans, Communication 4 Students from each 6 months
Communicate skills Level
with Buyers
Step Van Driver Transport Waste Paddling 1 Labor Ongoing
capability
Phase 2 : Director Lead Team, Project 5 Assistant Professor 6 months
Expansion Report Status Management from each Faculty
Collector/Seller Collect Cans, Communication 20 Students from each 6 months
Communicate skills Level from each faculty
with Buyers
Step Van Driver Transport Waste Paddling 5 Labor Ongoing
capability
Phase 3: Director Lead Team, Project Assistant Professor 6 months
Campus Report Status Management 13 from each Faculty and
Wide Hall Provosts.
Collector/Seller Collect Cans, Communication 36 Students from each 6 months
Communicate skills Level from each faculty.
with Buyers From each halls.
Step Van Driver Transport Waste Paddling 13 Labor Ongoing
capability
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 10

Budget Analysis
Phase I - Pilot Program
Following are three cases used in evaluation of the first phase. Prices used are the average, per
ton, of those found in the local dealer survey (refer to the "Current Recycling Markets" section).
Quantities are calculated based upon the percentages listed and the total tonnages given in the
"Problem Quantification" section.

Total Weight, "Other Papers": 5,500 Tons/Year

Assume 25% Computer Printout: 1,375 Tons/Year
Assume 25% Corrugated Cardboard: 1,375 Tons/Year
Assume 50% Mixed paper: 2,750 Tons/Year

The percentage of total is calculated based upon the annual total of 7,600 tons now being
landfilled.

Pessimistic Median Optimistic

Material Price(৳) % Wt. ৳(000) % Wt. ৳(000) % Wt. ৳(000)
Concrete Shurki 7200 10 30 220 20 60 430 30 90 650
Computer Paper 130 20 275 280 40 550 570 50 688 710
Cardboard 180 20 275 50 30 413 70 40 550 100
Newspaper 60 20 40 2 40 80 5 50 100 6
Mixed Paper 120 10 275 30 10 275 30 10 275 3

TOTAL Ton ৳(000) Ton ৳(000) Ton ৳(000)

895 580 1378 1110 1703 1500

REVENUES
 Thus, under the Pessimistic Case, a total of 895 tons (12% of the annual total generated)
of waste would be diverted from the landfill and sold for an estimated ৳5, 80,000.
 Under the Median Case, a total of 1,378 tons (18% of the annual total generated) of
waste would be diverted from the landfill and sold for an estimated৳11, 10,000.
 Under the Optimistic Case, a total of 1,703 tons (22% of the annual total generated) of
waste would be diverted from the landfill and sold for an estimated ৳15, 00,000.

Besides the recyclable materials sales, the landfill cost avoidance on them (at the current ৳150
per ton) would amount to ৳130,425 in the Pessimistic Case, ৳ 2, 06,700 in the Median Case,
and ৳2, 55,450 in the Optimistic Case.
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 11

EXPENSES
For Phase I, it is assumed that the following people and equipment would be adequate. Note
that no transportation (except from the buildings to storage) or marketing costs are included as
any of the buyers contacted are willing to come pick the material up from a central location.

Asset Annual Cost

Director (1/2 time) ৳15,000
Collectors/Sellers (4 students) + 1 driver ৳8,000
Truck (Step Van) ৳10,000
Containers (12 locations) ৳5,000
Custodial Time (12 locations@ 2 hr. /day) ৳45,000
Storage Facilities (temporary) ৳5,000
Total Costs ৳88,000

SUMMARY
Thus, under the three cases estimated:
Case Net Income (Loss)

Pessimistic (৳ 1, 61, 600)

Median ৳4, 37, 180
Optimistic ৳8, 69, 500

Note that the chance of making a profit appears to be great. The figures used in the
Pessimistic case is quite conservative (low), as are those used for the expenses (high).

** Yard wastes (grass clippings, leaves, twigs, etc. which are undoubtedly a large portion of
total solid waste stream) are something not included in this report.
There is no point in including yard wastes in this report as they are being recycled through
composting already.

Phase II: Expansion

The costs encountered will be more or less the same as found out for the Civil Faculty in Phase I . In this
the profit should increase by 5 times as wastes will be collected from all the 5 Faculties.
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 12

Phase III: Campus Wide

Under the third phase (complete campus-wide involvement), nearly all that is possible to
collect of the waste stream for recycling would be collected. Using the same assumptions as
above, the collection is estimated at:

Pessimistic Median Optimistic

Material Price(৳) % Wt. ৳(000) % Wt. ৳(000) % Wt. ৳(000)
Metal Scrapes 3000 15 45 325 35 105 755 35 105 755
Wood 4200 15 45 325 35 105 755 35 105 755
Computer Paper 130 40 550 570 70 962 990 80 1100 1130
Cardboard 180 40 550 100 60 825 150 80 1100 200
Newspaper 60 40 80 5 80 160 10 80 160 10
Mixed Paper 120 30 825 100 50 1375 160 80 2200 260

TOTAL Ton ৳(000) Ton ৳(000) Ton ৳(000)

2095 1430 3532 2820 4770 3110

REVENUES
 Thus, under the Pessimistic Case, a total of 2095 tons (28% of the annual total
generated) of waste would be diverted from the landfill and sold for an estimated ৳14,
30,000.
 Under the Median Case, a total of 3532 tons (46% of the annual total generated) of
waste would be diverted from the landfill and sold for an estimated৳28, 20,000.
 Under the Optimistic Case, a total of 4770 tons (63% of the annual total generated) of
waste would be diverted from the landfill and sold for an estimated ৳31, 10,000.

Besides the recyclable materials sales, the landfill cost avoidance on them (at the current ৳ 150
per ton) would amount to ৳310,425 in the Pessimistic Case, ৳ 5, 06,700 in the Median Case,
and ৳7, 15,450 in the Optimistic Case.

EXPENSES
For Phase III, it is assumed that the following people and equipment would be adequate. Note
that no transportation (except from the buildings to storage) or marketing costs are included as
any of the buyers contacted are willing to come pick the material up from a central location.
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 13

Asset Annual Cost

Director (1/2 time) X 13 ৳ 1, 95,000
Collectors/Sellers (36 students) + 13 drivers ৳78,400
Truck (Step Van) X 13 ৳ 1, 13,000
Desk Containers (4000) ৳40,000
Hall Collection Containers (400) ৳40,000
Custodial Time (12 locations@ 2 hr. /day) ৳1, 78,000
Storage Facilities (temporary) ৳ 5,000
Total Costs ৳6, 49,400

SUMMARY
Thus, under the three cases estimated:
Case Net Income (Loss)

Pessimistic ৳ 7, 80, 600

Median ৳21, 70, 600
Optimistic ৳24, 60, 600

Even if we approach in a pessimistic manner, we will encounter an annual profit of around 8

lacs just by recycling our daily garbage!!
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 14

SWOT Analysis
STRENGTH

1. Work-study program: A work-study program at BUET will help students earn

financial funding through a part-time work program.
2. Extra income: If these proposals are implemented, BUET authority will have an
extra source of income.
3. Reduction in expense: The waste papers can be sold and reused as newsprint which
can be later used as exam questionnaire sheets. This will reduce the expense to buy
new papers.
4. Communication skills of students: Students can develop their communication
skills through this project to get ready for professional life.
5. Teacher-student relationship: Through this project, a better relation between
teachers and students will develop.

OPPORTUNITIES:

1. Enhancing university: With the profit earned from this project, more
development can be bought to enhance the university.
2. Research facilities: With more lands and profit, the research facilities at BUET will
be increased.
3. Improving university: With more research work, the ranking of BUET will go
upward.
4. Pioneer program: This can be a pioneer program for other projects in future.

WEAKNESSS:

1. Funds: Collecting the amount of money needed for these developments will be a
tough challenge.
2. Limited student job opportunities: At the pilot program, only 4 students will
work. And at the campus wide program, 36 students will have the opportunity to
work in this program annually.
3. Fluctuation of price: The price of paper production fluctuates throughout the year.
So, the estimated budget showed in this proposal may be more or less depending on
the current market price of production.
4. Extra space for storage facility: BUET has limited land. So finding extra space for
storage facilities may be a problem.
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 15

THREATS;

1. Authorization of BUET Authority: Getting authorization from BUET authority and

fulfilling their conditions will be another tough challenge.
2. Digitalization: More than 50% budget estimation of this project is with paper.
Digitalization such as usage of electronic soft copy for class lectures, online
examination will cause entire collapse of the project.

GANTT chart:
Proposed For Upcoming 2 Years

Activities Month Mar’14 Jun’14’ Sep’14 Dec’14 Mar’15 Sep’15 Mar’16 -

Phase I
Recycling 100 %
waste from Completed and
Civil Faculty becomes a part
building of Phase II
Phase II 30 % proceeded.
Expansion of 100 % Completed
Waste and becomes a
management part of Phase III
program in
other Faculty
Offices and
classrooms.
Phase III 30 % proceeded.
Campus Wide 100 %
recycling Completed.
measures
undertaken
including the
halls.
 Waste Management at BUET Campus-Halls 16

Conclusion & Recommendations

Conclusion
The present practice of waste collection, recycling and disposal is quite disorganized which is
quite unexpected for a university like BUET. An organized effort is needed in order to maximize
resource recovery and utilization. This project is all about recycling and maximization of the
resources we have within our effort.

Recommendation
 A lot of woods from carpentry shop, metals from machine shop and welding shop is
counted as waste after their use in shop. Students from mechanical engineering can be
inspired to make different things with these wastes.
 Further study should be made on making furniture with cardboard. If successful, more
people should be appointed which will reduce the employment problem in Bangladesh.
This could be a good source of income.
 New ideas of recycling can be found from students by arranging competition on recycling
of waste management. In this program, competitions can be held on project display,
debate etc. Students can be inspired on research and invention through theses
competitions.
 Recycling of plastic bottles, cans were not involved in this project. This could be a valid
source of income.