{"title":"Sustainable e-waste management in higher education institutions: case study of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology","authors":"T. Q. Thao, T. H. Hanh, N. N. Huy","doi":"10.1007/s13762-024-06012-w","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>The global concern for e-waste necessitates comprehensive research, especially in educational institutions. This paper examines the case study of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), examining the generation, flow, and potential environmental impact of e-waste from 2024 to 2034. The research incorporates life cycle inventory (LCI) and material flow analysis (MFA) to estimate the volume and composition of obsolete electronic and electrical equipment (EEE). The study reveals a substantial increase in discarded devices at HCMUT, aligning with campus expansions. E-waste is estimated to generated 1.5 times from 16,792 kg in 2024 to 25,230 kg in 2034, emphasizing the urgency for effective waste management. MFA models delineate the flow of e-waste materials, emphasizing the need for targeted recycling measures. The examination of specific EEE types (projectors, computers, air conditioners, and lamps) reveals varying recyclability proportions, necessitating tailored management strategies. The absence of a specific e-waste management law in Vietnam, coupled with manual and unsafe processing practices, contributes to environmental and health hazards. The paper emphasizes the imperative for sustainable practices in higher education institutions (HEIs) and presents HCMUT's case as pivotal. The university's commitment to sustainable development is highlighted, underscoring the importance of integrating e-waste management into broader environmental strategies. As HEIs globally struggle with e-waste challenges, the study proposes a framework for effective management, incorporating LCI and MFA for informed decision-making. The results provide valuable insights for developing practical and sustainable e-waste management measures, guiding HEIs toward minimizing environmental impact while fostering a culture of responsible e-waste practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":589,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-06012-w","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The global concern for e-waste necessitates comprehensive research, especially in educational institutions. This paper examines the case study of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), examining the generation, flow, and potential environmental impact of e-waste from 2024 to 2034. The research incorporates life cycle inventory (LCI) and material flow analysis (MFA) to estimate the volume and composition of obsolete electronic and electrical equipment (EEE). The study reveals a substantial increase in discarded devices at HCMUT, aligning with campus expansions. E-waste is estimated to generated 1.5 times from 16,792 kg in 2024 to 25,230 kg in 2034, emphasizing the urgency for effective waste management. MFA models delineate the flow of e-waste materials, emphasizing the need for targeted recycling measures. The examination of specific EEE types (projectors, computers, air conditioners, and lamps) reveals varying recyclability proportions, necessitating tailored management strategies. The absence of a specific e-waste management law in Vietnam, coupled with manual and unsafe processing practices, contributes to environmental and health hazards. The paper emphasizes the imperative for sustainable practices in higher education institutions (HEIs) and presents HCMUT's case as pivotal. The university's commitment to sustainable development is highlighted, underscoring the importance of integrating e-waste management into broader environmental strategies. As HEIs globally struggle with e-waste challenges, the study proposes a framework for effective management, incorporating LCI and MFA for informed decision-making. The results provide valuable insights for developing practical and sustainable e-waste management measures, guiding HEIs toward minimizing environmental impact while fostering a culture of responsible e-waste practices.
期刊介绍：
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology (IJEST) is an international scholarly refereed research journal which aims to promote the theory and practice of environmental science and technology, innovation, engineering and management.
A broad outline of the journal''s scope includes: peer reviewed original research articles, case and technical reports, reviews and analyses papers, short communications and notes to the editor, in interdisciplinary information on the practice and status of research in environmental science and technology, both natural and man made.
The main aspects of research areas include, but are not exclusive to; environmental chemistry and biology, environments pollution control and abatement technology, transport and fate of pollutants in the environment, concentrations and dispersion of wastes in air, water, and soil, point and non-point sources pollution, heavy metals and organic compounds in the environment, atmospheric pollutants and trace gases, solid and hazardous waste management; soil biodegradation and bioremediation of contaminated sites; environmental impact assessment, industrial ecology, ecological and human risk assessment; improved energy management and auditing efficiency and environmental standards and criteria.
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