National University of Medical Sciences

Zero waste at NUMS

Zero waste pledge

National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) pledges to go Zero- Waste in fulfilment of its Environmental and Social Accountability.

Zero Waste Definition

Zero waste (ZW) means ‘Generating little or no waste’. (Merriam Webster)

Zero Waste is defined as “The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.”

Zero Waste International Alliance: Click Here

Zero Waste and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Zero Waste Management policy and practices at the University fulfil requirements of following SDGs (pictures to be added with each SDG)

SDG 2- 2.2.1
SDG 12- 12.2.1, 12.2.4, 12.2.5, 12.2.6, 12.2.7, 12.2.8, 12.3.1, 12.3.2.
SDG 14- 14.4.2
SDG 15- 15.4.2
SDG 15- 15.4.3

Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) for managing Hazardous waste) fulfil requirement of SDG 12.2.3

Zero Waste Management:

The Zero Waste Management employed by NUMS since June 2021 has two main components:

A. Segregation of waste at source and environmental friendly disposal of segregated waste:

Waste is segregated into following categories & subcategories in allocated/colour coded bins

a. Recyclables- Three subcategories sent for recycling to Green Earth Recycling and other vendors.

i. Paper & Cardboard

ii. Plastic

iii. Metal/glass

b. Compostable- Two subcategories- Composted on campus

i. Food waste

ii. Garden Waste

c. Landfill waste- Sent to Landfill sites

B. Motivating change in practices/behavior in NUMS community by adopting 5 Rs:

5Rs of zero waste are some simple steps that can be taken to help achieve the goal of Zero Waste, and contribute towards cleaner and greener Pakistan, and a safer planet. These include Reduce, reuse, recycle, rot(Compost) and Raise Awareness. Following tips to adopt Zero waste practices are shared with all the departments and directorates of NUMS.

Waste Tracking

Regular Waste Tracking is being done since September 2021. Following categories are regularly weighed for the purpose of audit and monitoring

a. Recyclables

b. Compostable (Food waste)

c. Landfill waste

NUMS has reduced the amount of waste going to landfill and land dumps by more than 75 % over the last one year

Around the Campus

Green Corner

NUMS has established a green corner as an area which showcases the project Zero Waste for the NUMS community, any visitors and especially new students as they join NUMS. This green corner demonstrates the university's commitment to promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility, improving air quality, and adding to the beauty of the campus.

It displays

NUMS Zero Waste pledge
Composting areas. Earthen pots are used for composting to show that composting is a clean process and if done well, does not lead to odor, flies or any other problem.
A set of color coded and labeled bins for awareness purposes These color-coded bins are for different types of recyclable waste such as plastic, metal, glass and paper and for landfill waste.
Different flowering plants and seasonal plants where compost prepared in NUMS is used as a fertilizer.