Evaluation of Solid Waste towards Sustainable Facilities Management

Abstract

Waste generated from healthcare activities usually comprise a broad variety of materials ranging from used needles, syringes, to soiled dressings. This list also includes body parts, diagnostic samples, blood, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and radioactive materials. In the education sector too, solid waste management has become a topical issue necessitating prompt attention and appraisal. Educational waste basically are categorised into recyclable, general and biodegradable waste forms. This study presents evaluation of solid waste issues towards achieving sustainable facilities management (FM) success in the Nigeria built environment. In this investigation, structured surveys were directed to the building services, estate, and environmental management experts as well as facilities managers operating within these targeted sectors: hospitals and universities (schools) to collect solid waste management data. Issues that influence and support good sustainable FM regarding waste management practices were also sought in the administered surveys. A functional unit size of 100m2 within the investigated facilities was considered in each case as a common basis for comparisons with the achievable results between the studied hospitals and schools. The outcomes from these studies and recommendations for best practices in future examinations are presented.