Elaboration and Implementation of a Waste Management Policy at the University of São Paulo (USP)

Abstract

AbstractThe University of São Paulo (USP) is the largest university in Brazil and has developed independent environmental actions related to solid waste until 2012. This year, an Environmental Management Superintendence (SGA in Portuguese) was created in order to construct a Solid Waste Policy to the University. This policy was constructed in an innovative way, since it required a participatory process. The need for more articulation gave rise to the Environmental Management Superintendence (SGA in Portuguese) in 2012, so as to improve sustainability on the campi and change USP into a sustainability model. SGA has formed a work group on wastes under a participative process whose priority is to develop strategies and procedures for the elaboration and implementation of a Waste Management Policy (PGR/USP in Portuguese), as a response to the specificities of the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS in Portuguese)—Law n. 12.305/10 to the university needs. The PGR/USP contemplates the elaboration of Waste Management Plans for all units at USP and in order to plan it, a course for the staff, the elaboration of the plans and a data base, integrated with the University Corporative System, and indicators to evaluate and improve the management are foreseen. This study analyses the elaboration process and the implementation of the PGR so as to identify the opportunities to promote sustainability at universities by taking waste management as a starting point.KeywordsHigher education institution (HEI)Waste managementEnvironmental management