Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
SDG 12 Indicator
12.3 – Proportion of recycled waste
12.3.1 – Waste tracking
UKM implements the waste tracking to measure the amount of waste generated and recycled across the university. UKM has appointed contractors to manage waste collection, ensuring that it is sent either to landfills or recycling centers within the campus. This initiative reflects UKM’s commitment to efficient waste management and environmental responsibility. Contractors are required to record (in receipt form) the weight of each type of waste collected based on the UKM Tender Document for Garbage Collection, Transport and Disposal Services (2021). This requirement ensures systematic tracking of waste management, likely to monitor and minimize waste output as part of sustainability practices.
(Page: 62) Tender Document for Garbage Collection, Transport, and Disposal Services (2021) with tender number is UKM/JPP/15/2023 that required contractors to record (in receipt form) the weight of each type of waste collected (including domestic waste and cafeteria food waste) during the weighing process at the landfill site. The recorded data, measured in tons or kilograms, must be submitted monthly to the relevant officer in the form of a report or designated form.
Waste Recycle Target
In 2023, UKM generated approximately 885 metric tons of waste, of which 55% was organic, 36% im-organic waste and 8.6% was toxic waste. To address this, the university has implemented various recycling programs, including the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and other upcycled initiatives. In 2022 and 2023, UKM achieved a recycling rate of 70% and 86%, respectively. The goal is to increase this rate to 90% in 2024 and ultimately reach 95% by 2030, aligning with the university’s low-carbon campus initiative.
| 2022(Actual Achievement) | 2023(Actual Achievement) | 2024(Projection) | 2030(campus low carbon) | |
| Target of waste recycling on campus. | 70% | 86% | 90% | 95% |
Waste Tracking in 2023
| No | Waste | Waste Generated (Tons) | Waste Treated (Tons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Organic | 489.20 | 420.71 |
| 2 | In-Organic | 318.88 | 274.24 |
| 3 | Toxic | 76.45 | 76.45 |
| Total (Tons) | 885.00 | 771.00 | |
Organic waste tracking
Total organic waste for Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi is 489.20. Organic waste that is produced from UKM Bangi consists of three types: food waste (416.50 ton), Yard waste (72 ton) and Used cooking oil (0.7 ton). Food waste came from Cafeterias and Dining Halls such as Pendeta Za’ba Residential, Keris Mas Residential, Dato’ Onn Residential and etc which contribute to large quantities of food being prepared and served daily, leftovers and unconsumed meals. Yard waste produced from agriculture / landscape waste such as grass and other green items in UKM Bangi. While, cooking is from food preparation from the cafeteria in UKM Bangi. The waste will be separated between organic and in-organic before being sent to the treatment center. The composition of each waste produced is as listed in table below.
Total volume organic waste produced (ton) in 2023
Type of organic waste | Amount (ton) |
| Total | |
| Food waste | 416.50 |
| Agriculture waste | 72.00 |
| Use Cooking Oil | 0.70 |
| TOTAL | 489.20 |
In 2023, UKM treated 86% or 420.71 tons of organic waste at Universiti Kebangsan Malaysia Bangi as shown in table below. At UKM Bangi, several initiatives to reduce our organic waste production such as a reduced and upcycled program for food waste and yard waste. The waste will be separated between organic and in-organic before being sent to specific treatment centers. 86% of organic waste (420.71) undergoes a treatment process which is composting, anaerobic digestion and black soldier fly (BSF) that basically turns into fertilizer.
At UKM, organic waste management is divided into several sustainable processes. Food waste is treated through composting, anaerobic digestion, and black soldier fly processing. Yard waste is entirely directed to the composting center, producing fertilizer used in campus landscaping. Used cooking oil is upcycled into soap for student use. Due to capacity limits at the composting center, only a portion of organic waste is composted. This approach promotes efficient, eco-friendly waste treatment and resource utilization on campus. Then, most of the domestic waste is transferred to the certified third party facilities to be treated according to procedure.
Total volume organic waste treated (ton) in 2023
Type of organic waste | Amount (ton) | |
| reduced | upcycled | |
| Food waste | 100.97 | 151.46 |
| Yard waste | 0.00 | 126.21 |
| Uses Cooking Oil | 21.03 | 21.03 |
| Total | 420.71 | |
| Percentage% | 86% | |
In-Organic waste tracking
In 2023, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) managed a significant amount of inorganic waste, totaling 318.88 tons as shown in table below, which included various materials such as books, magazines, paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, metals and aluminum cans. These items represent six key categories of inorganic waste, each contributing to the overall waste volume generated on campus.
As part of UKM’s commitment to sustainability, all recyclable materials are processed through the UKM Recycling Center in Bangi, which facilitates proper disposal, recycling, and re-purposing of inorganic waste. By actively segregating and recycling these materials, UKM is minimizing waste and enhancing its efforts toward a sustainable campus environment.
This proactive approach in managing inorganic waste aligns with the university’s Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030 and reinforces UKM’s dedication to achieving high standards in waste management.
Total volume inorganic waste produced (tons) in UKM for year 2023
NO | Type of inorganic waste | Amount (ton) |
| Total | ||
| 1 | Books/Magazine | 95.66 |
| 2 | Black/White Paper | 63.77 |
| 3 | Cardboard/Boxes | 57.40 |
| 4 | Mineral bottle/Mixed plastic bottle | 47.83 |
| 5 | Food tin/Metal/Drinking can/Aluminum | 31.89 |
| 6 | Othes (Mixed colour paper, Newspaper, textile) | 22.32 |
| TOTAL (tons) | 318.88 |
Total volume inorganic waste treated (tons) in UKM for year 2023
NO | Type of inorganic waste | Amount (ton) | |
| Reduced | Reused | ||
| 1 | Books/Magazine | 82.27 | 0.00 |
| 2 | Black/White Paper | 38.39 | 16.45 |
| 3 | Cardboard/Boxes | 49.36 | 0.00 |
| 4 | Mineral bottle/Mixed plastic bottle | 41.13 | 0.00 |
| 5 | Food tin/Metal/Drinking can/Aluminum | 27.42 | 0.00 |
| 6 | Othes (Mixed colour paper,Newspaper , textile) | 19.19 | 0.00 |
| TOTAL (tons) | 274.24 | ||
Toxic waste tracking
Toxic waste used in UKM consists of chemical waste, biological waste, and electric and electronic waste (e-waste) as well as fluorescent lamps. 100% of the toxic waste produced by UKM will be transferred to a third party company for proper treatment. As the toxic waste treatment needs to be managed by professional services according to the guidelines by the government, UKM have handed them over to a third party which is a certified handling company. In 2023, the total volume of toxic waste produced was 76.45 tons as shown in table below.
Total volume toxic waste produced (ton) in UKM for year 2023
No | Type of waste | Amount (ton) |
| Total | ||
| 1 | Chemical waste | 47.88 |
| 2 | Biological waste | 22.19 |
| 3 | Electric and electronic waste (e-waste) | 4.89 |
| 4 | Fluorescent lamp | 1.49 |
| Total | 76.45 | |