As part of its Qatar University Zero Waste Initiative (QUZW) initiative, the Facilities & General Services Department in Qatar University (QU) has succeeded in producing the first batch of fertilizer by converting food waste generated at the students’ housing. 

This remarkable step advances the implementation of the QU Zero Waste Action Plan (2021 - 2025) for realizing the main goal of getting solid waste management practices in the campus aligned with the Qatar University Strategy (2018-2022). 

The #QU_Zero_Waste initiative adopts the Circular Economy fundamentals and strives to minimize both virgin material inputs and waste outputs by closing organic resource flow loops (food waste).  As the implementation of the action plan continues, more waste fractions are being managed wisely and responsibly to help realize the circular campus of the future.

Qatar aims to achieve a 15% reccling rate for municipal waste by 2022. Recycling rates for common recyclables such as plastics and paper were at 1.8% each in 2017. Kick-starting zero-waste in QU is an important effort that aims to serve as a living lab for various sustainability practices, which can be replicated at a broader level in the country as part of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s Zero Waste Programs.

QU is considering waste as a resource rather than disposing of it. This is done following the waste management hierarchy, which considers waste prevention as the most favored option, followed by reuse and recycling. Disposal comes as the least preferred option. In other words, QU is moving from a make-use-dispose linear economy to a make-use-reuse/recycle circular economy. This is made possible through the integration of QUZW into all aspect of QU operations.

QUZW is currently covering camus facilities operations and coordinated by the Environment & Sustainability Section. A steering committee will be formulated to monitor the implementation of the plan. The governance structure will also gradually broaden to external stakeholders, not limited to local waste management authorities & companies and active NGOs in the field. Student representatives also have a significant role to play in the governance structure. 

Collaboration with the above stakeholders can enable QU to benefit from expertise and knowledge sharing; can help to close the loops on all material types at the highest level of value and in line with other zero-waste principles and will support us to build effective alliances on promoting zero-waste and circular economy throughout the Qatari society and the region. 

The use of palm waste fiber generated in the QU campus to produce a smart, eco-friendly recycling dumpster is a typical example of upcycling waste materials. The use of such products on the campus encourages the QU community to gradually shift towards a more sustainable lifestyle diverting waste from ending up in landfills. The dumpster will be equipped with a solar panel to provide clean energy to the small water pump, which irrigates the side plants. Level-fill sensors will be installed inside the dumpster to measure the level of its filling with waste and optimize collecting by notifying the sustainability team by SMS.

Since 2017, QU has been recycling paper and cardboard waste with the help of paper recycling contractors and has successfully passed the milestone of recycling 100 tons of paper waste. Installation of side desk recycling boxes in offices and bigger recycling bins in the generation hotspots (near photocopiers) have been instrumental in increasing the recycling rates. This program will be expanded to cover the entire campus by the end of 2021. 

Waste Measurement and Prevention System is one of the four strategic pillars of QUZW. Waste management activities, including generation, prevention & recycling, are measured as part of the initiative.

Waste audits yearly are also planned to analyze and continually improve the QUZW strategy systematically. Assessments of environmental, financial benefits are conducted regularly and transparently published for the QU community and available to share with external stakeholders.   

Eng. Hussam El Din Talib Allah said, “Instead of focusing on waste disposal, we at Qatar University deal with it as a resource of environmental and economic value, and this is done according to the standard hierarchy of waste management, which is considered Waste prevention is the most preferred option, followed by reuse and then recycling, and waste disposal as the least preferred option. 

"Qatar University is working on the transition from a linear, use-based economy to a circular economy based on use and reuse. Use and recycling, which was made possible by integrating the “Zero Waste” initiative in all aspects of operation and maintenance at Qatar University.”

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