The Quantity of Waste Produced at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences and Evaluating the Possibility of Recycling

The first step of solid waste management is identification of its composition and the amount of solid waste production per capita. The aim of this research was to estimate the quantity of solid waste production at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences and the possibility of recycling. This study was a cross-sectional study. The quantity of solid waste production was measured at the student dormitories, self-service, caféteria and administrative sections of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. The solid waste produced during two consecutive weeks in one month was weighted and the weight and percent of its components were determined. The obtained data was statistically analyzed by using SPSS 16. The results showed that putrescible waste was approximately 66.7% of the total solid waste produced. The share of other components of waste such as paper & cardboard, plastic, metals and glass was 19.2%, 10.8%, 0.15% and 0.14% respectively. Solid waste production rate was 144 grams per capita per day. As the main content of solid waste is putrescible, the best alternative for the University’s solid waste is to convert it into compost. Also better management in preparation and distribution of food can be one main strategy to reduce putrescible waste.