12.3 – Proportion of recycled waste

12.3.1 – Waste tracking

UKM has implemented a campus food waste tracking initiative to monitor and reduce food waste generated across dining facilities. This effort promotes responsible consumption, enhances waste management efficiency, and supports. This initiative not only addresses the issue of food waste but also supports the broader goal of sustainability by minimizing environmental impact and promoting responsible waste management practices.

UKM measures the amount of food waste generated from food served within the university. In 2024, UKM tracked approximately 157.18 metric tons of food waste across 4 zones that included residential colleges. One of the sources of waste production is food waste which is generated from the 10 cafeterias in the UKM campus, including in residential colleges. Therefore, UKM also continuously runs a food waste management campaign, especially in the residential cafeteria. A special bin facility to separate food waste from other solid waste is provided to ensure that food waste can be weighed and undergo further treatment. Food waste will be sent to several treatments such as composting 

The 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.

Organic waste tracking 2024

In 2024 total organic waste for UKM, Bangi, was 925.00 ton . Organic waste that is produced from UKM Bangi consists of three types: (157.18 ton),Domestic and food waste(704.85 ton), Yard waste (219.23 ton) and Used cooking oil (0.9 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

Total volume organic waste produced (ton) in 2024

Type of organic waste	Amount (ton)
	Total
Domestic waste + Food waste	704.85
Agriculture waste	219.23
Use Cooking Oil	0.90
TOTAL	925.00

In 2024, UKM treated 67% or 619.75 tons of organic waste at Universiti Kebangsan Malaysia Bangi (Table 3.7.1). At UKM Bangi, several initiatives to reduce our organic waste production such as a reuse and recycle program for food waste and yard waste. The waste will be separated between organic and in-organic before being sent to specific treatment centers. 67% of organic waste  (619.75 mt) will be reused and undergo a treatment process which is composting,  anaerobic digestion and black soldier fly (BSF) that basically turns into fertilizer and useful gases.

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. 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.