Organic Waste (Including Food Waste)
Organic waste materials are produced mainly from the university canteen. There is only one canteen in the university until 2022 which means that the produced organic wastes are less. There is special treatment for this kind of garbage as the Directorate of Imam Hussein Holy Shrine (our Parent organization) provides garbage trucks to deliver these wastes to an authorized waste treatment plant (also under our parent organization) that processes the garbage through special techniques.
Comparison chart of organic waste collected and recycled/reduced
Inorganic Waste Treatment (Recycling Program)
Generally, the University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa was established in 2017, and thus there is currently no electrical and electronic equipment waste, As for the metal and glass waste, there are separate bins in the university, where waste is collected by the dedicated garbage trucks provided by our parent organization, as the University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa is a child organization of the Directorate of Imam Hussain Holy Shrine and located in Karbala / Iraq. The Directorate of the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain A.S has implemented a single stream Recycling program to collect all the university recyclables from plastic, paper, glass, and aluminum from the university containers and dump them in the landfill affiliated with the Directorate of the Holy Shrine.
Below is the comparison chart for inorganic waste collection and our green recycling efforts
Every day the university garbage is collected and transported using the garbage decomposer trucks to the specified place; that’s a dedicated site for waste collection and processing. The garbage trucks are designed to collect solid wastes.
In the future, the university seeks to provide an inorganic waste collector in which these wastes could be gathered and recovered into valuable metals.
The University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa Recycling program
Toxic Waste Treatment (from Labs)
The University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa is a young university and was established in 2017. Solid, liquid, and gaseous hazardous wastes are managed by a specialized and trained technician. All poisonous and dangerous materials are labeled and stored safely.
Electronic waste is about negligible as the university is relatively new and in low and lower-middle-income countries, there is a trend to reuse depreciated gadgets and resell them at the market for lower prices, the university now doesn’t have any need to resell their electronic devices as they are being reused by university employees. In case of malfunctioning, they are being sent for repairs or being repaired at university’s dedicated facilities for troubleshooting and repairing e-devices.
Please see the comparison chart for toxic waste produced and sustainably managed by us.
Heading Towards a Socially Responsible Paperless Organization by 2025
Introduction:
At Warith Al-Anbiyaa University, we are committed to creating a socially responsible and sustainable environment. As part of our ongoing efforts, we have set a goal to become a paperless organization by 2025. By embracing digital solutions and minimizing paper usage across our university's colleges, we are not only promoting sustainability but also enhancing the quality of our education system.
Empowering Students:
To encourage a paperless approach, we have implemented measures that promote the submission of assignments in digital and soft copy formats. Through our online learning portal, Moodle, students at Warith Al-Anbiyaa University are requested by their teachers to submit assignments electronically, eliminating the need for physical copies. This shift not only contributes to sustainability by reducing paper consumption but also enables our teaching staff to efficiently detect plagiarism and promote originality among students. Embracing digital assignments has fostered a culture of research, creativity, and academic excellence.
Green Initiatives in the Office:
We recognize the importance of promoting green behavior among our staff and employees at Warith Al-Anbiyaa University. To this end, we have taken several steps to cultivate a sustainable office environment. One of our initiatives involves distributing free coffee mugs while prohibiting the use of disposable paper and plastic cups in our kitchen. Additionally, we encourage our employees to bring their own water bottles for refilling or make use of the recyclable glassware.
recyclable glassware provided at water dispensers.
Raising Awareness through Visual Communication:
We understand that raising awareness is crucial in fostering a paperless mindset. At Warith Al-Anbiyaa University, we have implemented various strategies to subliminally motivate our employees towards adopting green behavior. We have developed digital banners, infographics, and posters that encourage the reduction of paper usage. Furthermore, every email sent within or between departments includes a signature discouraging unnecessary printing. Stand rolls, A4 size posters, and digital information placements serve as constant reminders for our staff to consider the environmental impact before printing. These efforts have been successful in influencing behavior positively.
Psychological Tactics and Workshops:
Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond mere directives. At Warith Al-Anbiyaa University, we believe in empowering individuals to embrace environmentally friendly practices willingly. Through workshops and training sessions, we educate our students and employees about the importance of sustainable practices. By explaining the detrimental effects of non-green behavior on the environment, we provide a compelling reason for them to adopt a paperless approach. We strive to create a sense of inclusivity by involving students and staff in various green activities and programs, as research suggests that participation increases the likelihood of behavior adoption.
Psychological Tactics to Encourage a Paperless Office:
We employ several psychological tactics at Warith Al-Anbiyaa University to motivate our employees towards a paperless office, both in text and visuals. Here are some examples:
1. Paper constitutes 50% of business waste.
Solution: Utilize software for data collection and storage instead of relying on paper.
2. Recycling 1 ton of paper saves significant resources.
Solution: Encourage the use of extra or discarded office copies for note-taking, reducing paper waste by up to 50%.
3. Paper demand is projected to double by 2030.
Solution: Promote email communication for inter and intra-departmental exchanges, minimizing paper usage.
4. Paper accounts for 25% of landfill waste.
Solution: Implement recycling practices for discarded paper materials, either by recycling them or shredding them for use as packing material by our contractors during shipments.
5. The average web user prints 27 pages daily.
Solution: Encourage double-sided printing whenever paper consumption is unavoidable, resulting in a 50% reduction in paper usage.
Conclusion:
At Warith Al-Anbiyaa University, we are dedicated to fostering a sustainable and digitally empowered university. Our efforts to become a paperless organization by 2025 demonstrate our commitment to environmental stewardship and the advancement of our education system. Through student engagement, office initiatives, and the use of psychological tactics, we are actively working towards a future where sustainability is ingrained in every aspect of our university's operations.
Treating Campus Waste for Upcycling
The Directorate of Imam Hussain’s holy shrine (parent organization of the university) incorporates with the municipal of Karbala to develop and improve the university sewers. So they have the duty to clean and maintain those sewers to ensure they serve effectively. Also, they have the duty to empty those sewers either for sewerage treatment works or where appropriate to watercourses. These wastes are very rich in organic materials and with a little treatment, they can be used as a good soil conditioner if they meet a quality protocol.
Toxic Waste Treatment (from Labs)
The University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa is a young university and was established in 2017. Solid, liquid, and gaseous hazardous wastes are managed by a specialized and trained technician. All poisonous and dangerous materials are labeled and stored safely.
Inorganic Waste Treatment (Recycling Program)
Generally, the University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa was established in 2017, and thus there is currently no electrical and electronic equipment waste, As for the metal and glass waste, there are separate bins in the university, where waste is collected by the dedicated garbage trucks provided by our parent organization, as the University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa is a child organization of the Directorate of Imam Hussain Holy Shrine and located in Karbala / Iraq. The Directorate of the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain A.S has implemented a single stream Recycling program to collect all the university recyclables from plastic, paper, glass, and aluminum from the university containers and dump them in the landfill affiliated with the Directorate of the Holy Shrine. Every day the university garbage is collected and transported using the garbage decomposer trucks to the specified place; that’s a dedicated site for waste collection and processing. The garbage trucks are designed to collect solid wastes.
In the future, the university seeks to provide an inorganic waste collector in which these wastes could be gathered and recovered into valuable metals.
The University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa Recycling program
Organic Waste Treatment for Upcycling
Organic waste materials is produced mainly from the university canteen. There is only one canteen in the university until 2021 which means that the produced organic wastes are less. There is special treatment for this kind of garbage as the Directorate of Imam Hussein Holy Shrine (our Parent organization) provides garbage trucks to deliver these wastes to an authorized waste treatment plant (also under our parent organization) that processes the garbage through special techniques.
Responsible Consumption: Nurturing SDG 12 for a Greener Tomorrow
Our commitment to sustainability extends to responsible consumption and production, a core theme of SDG 12. We recognize the critical need to reduce waste, minimize resource consumption, and promote sustainable practices. To this end, the University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa (peace be upon them) has integrated smart irrigation systems into our landscaping efforts.
These systems enable us to manage our water resources with the utmost efficiency. By using technology to monitor and adjust irrigation schedules based on real-time conditions, we reduce water waste to a minimum. This approach aligns seamlessly with the objectives of SDG 12, which aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. We firmly believe that responsible water consumption is a fundamental part of achieving a more sustainable and environmentally-conscious future.
Sustainable Landscaping in Iraq: A Model of Responsible Practices
The University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa, located in Karbala, Iraq, is leading the way in responsible landscaping practices that align with SDG 12. In this arid climate, we understand the critical importance of responsible water consumption. Our nurseries boast a carefully curated selection of drought-resistant plants and crops, thoughtfully chosen for their ability to thrive in dry conditions.
We utilize modern irrigation techniques to optimize water use, minimizing waste and ensuring that our green spaces remain lush and vibrant. Our commitment to SDG 12 extends to every aspect of our practices, where we aim to serve as a model of responsible consumption and production, all while adapting to the unique challenges of Iraq's climate.