1. Significance and Background

2. Methodology

3. Results

3.1. Results with Indicators

Mahasarakham University continuously operates and makes improvements leading to a sustainable green university according to the indicators of the UI Green Metric World University Ranking criteria. One of the indicators used was waste management, which must be appropriate, focus on sustainably environmental management, facilitate education, be safe and be environmentally friendly. The operations of a green university must involve cooperation across all sectors, set clear policies and allocate budgets for developments and improvements. The waste management inside the university must be considered by focusing on the upstream management starting from the separation process. Collection and management apply the principles of 3R (Reuse-Reduce-Recycle) which emphasizes reducing and utilizing wastes. By collecting the data in the last five years (2019 - 2023), following and evaluating the results of the activities and projects in each year reflected the changes and successes of the waste management. These show continuous developments recorded via the six indicators. The indicator scores are shown in Figure 3. in which it can be seen that the full score was 1800. Mahasarakham University's score was 900 during 2019 - 2020, and it gradually increased to 1350 in 2023. However, the score was not the full score or 1800. It needed 450 scores. The details of the results of each indicator are presented below.

3.1.1. The Recycling Program for the University's Wastes

The university supported and encouraged the students and personnel to separate and add value to or utilize recyclable wastes. Initially, waste separation bins were provided and distributed in order to generate income. Then, the students were encouraged to separate the recyclable wastes by having a recycling package contest. However, the contest was only a short time project. To promote the long-term recyclable waste separation, the university developed other projects. - a recycling bank and facility to exchange recyclable wastes with eggs. Nonetheless, the mentioned project was seemingly successful. There were the problems about the limitations of the university’s regulations which caused many to withdrawal resulting in delays. Consequently, the number of participants was decreased after which the projects were cancelled. However, the university tried to adjust the activities in order to encourage students and personnel to participate in operations and to achieve sustainability by conducting voluntary point collection activity with recyclable wastes under the green dormitory project by the students’ clubs. Voluntary point collection motivated the students to participate in the separation in order to collect voluntary points being issued according to the university’s criteria such as the Student Loan Fund (SLF) and fund selection. The point collection criteria were set clearly. As a result, the students were very interested in it. The waste recycling project was improved by conducting the innovation activity from the recyclable wastes for adding values to the wastes., The mentioned project was clearly conducted only in the students’ dormitories. To create the network for conducting the project and generalize the results to the faculties and departments in the university, there was cooperation with the private sector in order to actually enter the recycling processes. The Green University Leaves a Turn for the World to Remember with GC YOU Turn was conducted through the students’ organizations and clubs. Conducting the mentioned project clearly showed the students’ participations. The project has been conducted continuously. The results of the waste recycling project in the university are presented in Table 2.

According to Table 2, the score was increased because of the projects reflecting the number of the projects not affecting the evaluations. However, the changes of the form of the projects to covering more areas and the increased participation of the students and personnel increased the amounts of the recycled and managed wastes in the projects. As a result, the evaluation results were improved. The amounts of waste affected the evaluation criteria. The activities with the most serious effects on the evaluations should be considered in order to continue the operations according to the evaluation criteria and improve the operations. Nonetheless, this indicator could be improved by studying the details of the amended evaluation criteria in more detail and with support for budgets covering the whole university in order to continue and sustain the operations and reviewing the projects’ results with the most serious effects on the evaluations in order to generalize the results to cover and comply with the evaluation frameworks according to the factors of the successes of the green universities of Issaree Rodthatsana (2015). Some factors of the successes from the integrations of the environmental projects and activities according to the missions of each university in each aspect must involve education, research, academic services, students’ developments, students’ and internal personnel’s participations and areas surrounding educational institutes.

3.1.2. The Program to Reduce the Use of Papers and Plastics in the Campuses

To reduce papers and plastics, the university encouraged the students and personnel to use their own cups by cooperating with the shop owners joining the project. If they brought their own cups, they would receive discounts. They were also encouraged to use fabric bags in order to reduce use of plastic bags. Initially, there were only two activities in order to comply with the evaluation criteria as consistently as possible. The university implemented and announced the paper and plastic reduction policies for all departments by encouraging them to use reusable products instead of one time products. Fabric bags replacing plastic bags and refillable cups were promoted continuously. Then, technologies were used as well as documentation management system, electronic document delivery system, online repair appointment system, online document submission system and other systems were developed. Wise use of paper was also promoted by using both sides of each paper. This showed wise use of resources during the activities or projects. Meetings and seminars in the university had implemented waste minimization policies for foods and drinks. For example, foods in pots or trays were ordered. Lunch boxes were ordered in order to reduce wastes. A plastic bag reduction project was also conducted.

Table 3. The Results of the Projects.

Table 3. The Results of the Projects.

Year	Score	Project results	Project details
2019	150	Total 3 Projects	1. Ecolife program 2. Say no plastic program 3. Order refills for food and beverages 4. Electronic Document System 5. Eservices system 6. Online document submission system 7. Two-sided paper policy 8. Use environmentally friendly products. 9. Project to reduce receiving, reduce giving, reduce use of plastic bags (MSU No Plastic) 10. Say no to plastic bag project 11. Green Meeting
2020	150	Total 3 Projects
2022	225	Total 5 Projects
2022	300	Total 8 Projects
2023	300	Total 11 Projects

According to Figure 4, the scores were increased throughout the study period, and had the full score according to the UI Green Metric World University Ranking criteria because the number of the project’s increased. As a result, the indicators score was the highest score. To continue some projects, they must be conducted continuously according to the evaluation criteria and affect the university's developments, especially using the management technologies for the purpose of facilitation and efficiency as well as to reduce wasted resources. However, some projects might be halted if the number of the projects met the criteria; this was in order to use the budgets for managing and developing other things. Nevertheless, the other universities' guidelines for conducting projects were also studied and applied to continuously develop the university and to improve the management systems since the number of competitors was increasing. Some projects such as the waste management, the waste reduction in the university and the No single Use Plastic project could be conducted immediately without budgets. The plastic reduction frameworks were as follows: 1) reject the plastic bags from shops, 2) use food carrier and fabric bags, 3) carry cups or mugs, 4) reuse plastic bags, and 5) ask the shop owners to change the traditional one-time notes to the coated notes from Kasetsart University, which was nationally ranked the 2nd university regarding waste management in 2022 (UI Green Metric World University Rankings, 2022).

3.1.3. Organic Waste Treatment

The university separated and managed the organic wastes from gardens, grasses and leaves in order to gain benefits by fermenting fertilizers. The sources were managed by fermenting the fertilizers. Organic wastes were also used to improve the soil qualities and growth of ornamental plants in the university in order to reduce chemicals and residues in environments. These only emphasized on the organic waste management from the gardens. Then, the university surveyed the sources of the organic wastes. Some of the organic wastes were daily produced from the canteen and contained high amounts of food scraps being. The wastes must be managed appropriately. The university conducted a earthworm fermented fertilizer project in order to treat the food scraps produced from the canteen. The project could reduce the amounts of the wastes requiring disposal, and the products were used for nourishing the ornamental plants and also generated incomes for the university. Not only the canteen, but each faculty also had the wastes from internal activities. The Public Duties Certification (PDC) committees set these a KPI. It was an indicator that required waste management and all operations were required to reduce and separate the wastes at source. Environmental conservation bins were installed in order to treat the produced food scraps. Organic waste management was also a source of learning management and utilizing wastes for the students, personnel and external organizations. The results of the organic waste management projects are summarized in Table 4.

According to the table of the summary of the results of the organic waste management projects, the scores were obviously higher because the organic waste management projects were conducted. However, the number of the projects did not affect the evaluation. The projects were still necessary for continuing the organic waste management at the sources, the reduction of waste for disposal and the management budget reduction for improvements. Moreover, this indicator could be improved. The guidelines were studied, and budgets were provided in order to make plans and adjust the projects according to the evaluation criteria energizing sustainable management. The conversion of the wastes into energy was considered in order to obtain guidelines for completely managing all of the organic wastes in the university according to the guidelines of Mahidol University and Kasetsart University (which were nationally ranked the 2^nd university in 2022 regarding waste management. Producing fertilizers and biogas were other ways to effectively manage food scraps. These activities were concrete and appropriate guidelines and forms for improving the projects in the next year.

3.1.4. Inorganic Waste Treatment

By analyzing the components of the wastes in the university, it was found that the amount of the organic wastes was the highest compared to all other types of wastes, especially soft and stretched plastic wastes (plastic bags). The university also had many restaurants, and the number of the students was increased during the study period. The university handled these situations by providing containers, black bags or waste bags collecting the wastes, bags being tied and placed at the collection points before being collected to help order and enhance convenience of the waste collection. The university provided waste collection points with doors for preventing dogs tearing the bags and violating the order. The waste disposal schedules were set clearly in order to collect the wastes before the designated times for collecting the wastes by the university. The university used the two compactor garbage trucks for collecting and transporting the wastes with local organizations burying the wastes every day in order to reduce remaining wastes, flies and bad smells. The wastes were disposed of by local organizations who were given monthly payments. It was not only the plastic management, but the hard plastics, especially containers that had contained chemicals from the laboratories, which were included in order to reduce the number of purchased or degraded containers. The waste collection routes and points are shown in Figure 5 in which it can be seen that the garbage trucks started from the parking area of the university to the 1st point near the waste separation station (the waste disposal point from Talad Noi Market's canteen to the students' dormitories), the parking area of the Faculty of Sciences, the area behind the Faculty of Arts and Culture, the 2nd personnel condo, the 3rd personnel condo, the area behind the President's Office, the Secondary Education Department of the Demonstration School and the ambulance parking area. After collecting the wastes at all points, they were sent to the waste disposal station (the waste disposal site of Mueang Mahasarakham Municipality) that was 35 kilometers away from Mahasarakham University.

The university tried to manage all produced organic wastes with the correct disposal treatment. For this, downstream waste management and only soft plastic management was focused without stating organic waste reduction methods or utilizations, the evaluation results were not changed. The university not only managed soft plastics but also focused on managing the other types of inorganic wastes by utilizing hard plastics. As a result, the evaluation results were improved as a consequence of developing and complying with the evaluation criteria as much as possible as possible. It was also the waste management guideline in the university. The guidelines of Suranaree University should be studied since they affected the national waste management ranking for two consecutive years or 2022 - 2023 regarding the complete waste management. At Suranaree University a Biomass Excellency Center was established. Plastic wastes were processed into fuels and there were mechanical and biological treatment systems, RDF production and other approaches in order to obtain the guidelines for developments.

3.1.5. Toxic Waste Treatment

The university was dedicated to managing the toxic wastes for the safety of the students and personnel. The wastes were collected and disposed correctly by sending the wastes to the private company that was legally registered each year. The details of the toxic wastes and management guidelines are shown in Table 5. In the table, toxic wastes are classified into three types according to the sources including the toxic wastes from the laboratories, the toxic wastes from the buildings and the toxic wastes from the hospital.

The university, had no operational policy reusing the toxic wastes. Although it treated all of the produced toxic wastes according to the academic principles, the evaluation results were not changed. These reflected the toxic waste management processes starting from the sources to the final treatment. To comply with the evaluation criteria, the upstream toxic waste management and reduction were valued. Moreover, the guidelines for reusing the toxic wastes were considered. Managing the electronic wastes that were considered as a type of toxic wastes that must be treated correctly were also emphasized.

3.1.6. Inorganic Waste Treatment

The university made plans and guidelines for reusing wastewater by treating it inside the buildings and that released from the buildings. The wastewater inside the buildings was treated by collecting and transferring it to an air blowing treatment system (Aerated Lagoon, AL) as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 by adding oxygen into the wastewater treatment system. The air blowers were installed in order to improve the treatment efficiency. The wastewater quality was also checked before and after the treatments before circulating and using the treated water by connecting the system to the watering system with sprinklers and was then used for washing the roads. Wastewater collection pipes often became clogged, with fats, especially in the canteen. Consequently, the wastewater overflowed, and bad smells were released. To solve these problems, a budget was allocated for installing grease trap tanks in order to support the treatments before transferring the wastewater to the treatment system. The wastewater management in the university reflected the changes and guidelines for solving or managing the problems according to the evaluation criteria. As a result, the scores increased obviously. The wastewater treatments should cover all areas in the university and be focused in order to utilize the treated water in order to increase the score of this indicator. Tools can also be installed in order to improve the treatment efficiency and circulate the treated water safely without affecting the environments.

According to Figure 7, Mahasarakham University designed and built the wastewater treatment system for the initial treatment of wastewater produced from all parts of the university. Coarse sieves were installed in order to filter wastes and scraps out of the pipes. For the wastewater from the canteen that usually contained fats and caused clogs, grease trap tanks were installed in order to initially treat the wastewater so as to reduce residues and transfer the water to the wastewater treatment system for treatment before reuse or releasing the treated water to water sources. To ensure that the circulation quality was good, the wastewater quality was checked according to the standard criteria.

3.1.7. The Results of the Waste Component Analysis

Waste components of the faculties and departments of Mahasarakham University. were surveyed and analyzed . The waste components were studied from Monday - Friday or five days in order to calculate the averages of the waste components. The amount and type of each waste was compared with management plans using the appropriate evaluation criteria. The details are shown in Table 6 and Figure 8.

According to Figure 8; the amount of the wastes in 2019 was highest probably because the number of the students was highest. Consequently; the amount of the waste was increased. The amount of the waste decreased in 202; presumably because the numbers of personnel and students were low due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To slow down the pandemic; the university used the work from home practice and online learning. As a result; the amount of the waste was decreased.

Figure 9 shows the results from studying and collecting the data about the amounts of waste from all departments in the Mahasarakham University. The amount of each type of the wastes produced daily is shown. The type of the waste that had the highest amount was the inorganic wastes followed by the organic wastes, recycled wastes and toxic wastes. The amount of each type of waste affected planning and managing the budgets in line with to the evaluation policies and criteria (Division of Buildings and Accommodation, Mahasarakham University).

3.4. The Waste Management Guidelines for the Sustainable Developments

Mahasarakham University has improved operations for sustainable developments and made continuous developments. The 17 goals of the developments reflect the three pillars of sustainability: society, economy and environment. One of the goals of the sustainable developments is the green university development focusing on organizational developments and environmentally friendly management. Waste management is another indicator of the green university ranking evaluation criteria. Wastes must be managed appropriately. Recycling must be promoted. Paper and plastics must be reduced. The organic waste treatment, the inorganic waste treatment and the wastewater treatment according to the principles of 3R must follow the sanitation principles in order to have the environments facilitating the education and lives of the students and personnel in the university and to safely manage the wastes for contributing to achieving the sustainable development goals. Planet (an environmental aspect) covered the 2nd, 12th and 15th goals, especially the 12th goal that is the responsible consumption and production. The sustainable consumption and production plans must manage and achieve the goals by efficiently managing the uses of natural resources, the methods for disposing toxic wastes and pollutants as well as promoting recycling and reducing wastes in order to implement the sustainable consumption plans and to achieve environmental sustainability. The 15th goal is the life on land. The land ecosystem was utilized. This included the hazardous waste management that was safe and environmentally friendly.

Table 7. The Operation Results According to SDGs.

Table 7. The Operation Results According to SDGs.

GOALS	Criteria	Project details
GOAL 2: Zero Hunger	Campus food waste	1. Survey of the amount of food waste that occurs in universities, including cafeterias and food establishments. 2.Providing a tank to hold or separate food scraps for use. 3. Using food waste to produce vermicompost and then use it in agriculture, such as growing organic vegetables. and maintaining flowers and ornamental plants within the university
GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	1. Policy to reduce plastic use within the university and extend it outside the university. 2.Waste disposal policy to measure the amount of waste sent to landfill and recycling.	1. Plastic reduction project: - Ecolife program - Say no plastic program - Say no to plastic bag project - Stop using foam boxes. - Promote the use of personal drinking glasses. - Organize meetings, seminars, training in the form of Green Meeting. 2. Waste recycling project: - Waste sorting bins to create value - Green Dormitory (Recycled garbage collects volunteer points) - Recycle waste to create innovations 3. Collection and disposal project: - Collect and transport waste for disposal by landfill with the municipality for waste that cannot be used.
GOAL 15: Life on Land	Policy on hazardous waste disposal.	The university separates and collects waste that may cause harm to students and personnel, including chemicals from laboratories, hazardous waste from buildings. (light bulbs/batteries/batteries/aerosol cans) and hazardous waste from hospitals (Infectious waste) sent for proper disposal according to academic principles. The university hires a registered company to carry out the disposal once a year.

4. Conclusions

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