Impact of Waste Management programs in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

National Chiayi University’s comprehensive waste management framework has generated a very high impact on advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through integrated systems that address solid waste, toxic waste, wastewater, and recycling innovation. These initiatives have significantly enhanced resource efficiency, reduced waste generation, and strengthened sustainability awareness across the entire campus community. The university’s initiatives collectively support 14 out of 17 SDGs by linking operational practices with education, research, and community engagement.

1. Integrated Waste Management and Circular Economy (SDG 6, 9, 11, 12)

 A campus-wide waste separation and recycling system ensures 100% treatment of toxic and hazardous waste, while smart recycling machines collect data for digital evaluation and continuous improvement.

 Livestock wastewater and domestic sewage undergo tertiary-level treatment, generating 6,691 tons of reclaimed water per month for reuse in livestock cleaning, thereby reducing freshwater demand.

 The Common Good Water Resources Project further promotes circular resource use by converting reclaimed water into potable water via mobile purification systems.

2. ICT-Driven Monitoring and Innovation (SDG 7, 9, 13, 17)

 Wastewater and solid-waste systems are equipped with smart sensors and IoT-based monitoring, enabling real-time data analytics through the Environmental Protection and Safety Management Center.

 The Carbon Bamboo Partridge App integrates ICT with behavioral incentives, encouraging campus users to participate in digital recycling programs while contributing to carbon-reduction awareness.

 Data collected from these systems feed into sustainability reports, providing an evidence-based foundation for decision-making and inter-university collaboration.

3. Education, Research, and Community Engagement (SDG 4, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17)

 The university’s waste management practices are incorporated into teaching modules, micro-credit courses, and student research projects under the Higher Education Sprout Project, reinforcing experiential learning.

 Students and staff participate in environmental campaigns such as campus waste audits, recycling competitions, and resource-reuse design projects, cultivating a sustainable culture across disciplines.

 NCYU’s collaboration with government agencies and partner universities enhances regional capacity for waste reduction and green innovation. These educational integrations ensure that waste management is not only a technical operation but also an experiential learning platform that nurtures sustainability-oriented mindsets.

Achievement:

Through the integration of policy, technology, and education, NCYU’s waste management programs significantly contribute to the SDGs by fostering a circular, data-driven, and low-carbon campus ecosystem. These efforts produce measurable outcomes—including waste reduction, water reuse, carbon-emission mitigation, and sustainability education—qualifying NCYU under the “Very High Impact (supporting 14–17 SDGs)” category.