Waste Management Practices, Challenges, and Improvement Strategies: A Case Study of Aadikavi Bhanubhakta Campus

Abstract

This study examined the existing solid waste management practices at Aadikavi Bhanubhakta campus, Tanahun, with particular attention to major challenges, gaps in implementation, and potential strategies for improving sustainable waste management. Adopting a qualitative case study design, purposive sampling was employed to collect data from campus administrators, faculty, laboratory personnel, sanitation staff, hostel management, canteen operators, and students’ representatives. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observation, while secondary data were collected by reviewing campus documents. The data were analyzed following thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The findings revealed that the campus has developed mechanisms for the collection, segregation, disposal, and transportation of waste materials; however, substantial gaps remained between campus policy and implementation. This study recommends improving segregation of wastes from source, reducing waste production by recycling and reusing plastic, paper, and electronic waste, adding waste segregation bins, improving infrastructure for disposing of dissected animals and tissue, and developing a safe drainage system for hazardous laboratory chemicals in science labs. Further, this finding aims to improve sustainable management of waste in the community campus of Nepal.