Policy on plastic waste reduction

Contents

1. Purpose of the Policy

2. Scope of the Policy

3. Legal Framework and National Strategic Mandate

4. Policy Statement

5. Implementation and Responsibilities

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

7. Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

1. Purpose of the Policy

1.1. Qassim University recognizes plastic waste as a major threat to soil quality, biodiversity, and the overall land-based environment. The accumulation of non-biodegradable plastic waste in grounds, gardens, and surrounding ecosystems contributes to land degradation and microplastic pollution.

1.2. This policy aims to reduce plastic waste generation, prevent plastic litter, and promote safe recovery, recycling, and circular-management practices that protect the campus ecosystem and its surroundings.

1.3. Together with the University's Plastic Use Minimization Policy and Disposable Items Minimization Policy (SDG 12), this document ensures that the entire lifecycle of plastic-from procurement to disposal-is responsibly managed, aligning with the principles of circular economy and sustainable land stewardship.

1.4. Through this policy, Qassim University contributes directly to SDG 15 (Life on Land) and supports national objectives for ecosystem protection and land conservation under Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.

2. Scope of the Policy

2.1. This policy applies to all university campuses, buildings, laboratories, open areas, green spaces, gardens, parking zones, and surrounding lands managed by Qassim University.

2.2. It includes all activities and services that generate, manage, or dispose of plastic waste-such as administrative operations, catering, catering, retail, landscaping, maintenance, and student or public events.

2.3. The policy applies to all members of the University community, including faculty, staff, students, vendors, contractors, visitors, and suppliers who handle materials that may result in plastic waste.

3. Legal Framework and National Strategic Mandate

This policy is grounded in the same legislative and strategic base as the SDG 12 policies, ensuring coherence across institutional environmental governance:

• Environment Law (Royal Decree No. M/165 of 2020): Mandates protection of soil and natural habitats from pollution and waste accumulation.
• Executive Regulations to the Environment Law (2021): Define obligations for waste segregation, reduction, and recycling of non-biodegradable waste.
• National Waste Management Strategy (2021, NCWM): Targets an 82% waste-diversion rate from landfills by 2035 and prioritizes reduction of plastic waste entering terrestrial ecosystems.
• Saudi Vision 2030 & Saudi Green Initiative: Reinforce commitments to sustainable resource use, restoration of degraded lands, and protection of biodiversity.

4. Policy Statement

4.1 Qassim University is committed to preventing plastic waste from entering land and soil systems by integrating effective waste-management, recycling, and ecosystem-protection practices. This commitment complements the University's ongoing sustainability initiatives under SDG 12, which aim to promote responsible consumption and production across all areas of campus life.

4.2 Within this framework, the University actively advances plastic-waste reduction and sustainable resource management through:

• Sustainable campus operations: implementing energy-efficient technologies, reducing water consumption, and maintaining comprehensive waste segregation and recycling systems that limit the generation of plastic waste on campus.
• Curriculum integration: incorporating sustainability, waste management, and environmental stewardship topics into academic programs to educate students on the environmental, social, and economic impacts of plastic pollution.
• Research for sustainability: encouraging faculty and student research that explores plastic-waste mitigation, biodegradable alternatives, circular-economy models, and land-ecosystem protection.
• Awareness and behavioral change: conducting university-wide awareness campaigns, training sessions, and volunteer drives-such as "Protect Our Land" and "Clean Earth Day"-to foster responsible behavior and community participation.
• Community outreach: collaborating with municipalities, NGOs, schools, and local partners to extend plastic-waste awareness and reduction initiatives beyond the university campus.
• Innovation and entrepreneurship: supporting student-led innovations and start-ups focused on sustainable materials, plastic reuse, and waste-management solutions that contribute to both SDG 12 and SDG 15 outcomes.

4.3 Specific objectives and measures include:

• Achieve a 20 percent annual reduction in plastic waste sent to landfill or disposed of on campus grounds by 2027.
• Designate and maintain plastic-free green zones, courtyards, and landscaped areas, supported by weekly cleaning patrols and reporting systems for plastic litter.
• Install color-coded bins separating recyclables, biodegradable waste, and non-recyclables in all facilities, supported by digital waste-tracking tools.
• Establish or partner with local recycling facilities to manage plastic waste responsibly and explore on-campus plastic-repurposing projects.
• Ensure that all suppliers use recyclable or returnable plastic packaging, with compliance monitored through procurement reviews.
• Eliminate the use of plastic mulch, synthetic turf, and plastic liners in landscaping, replacing them with organic or biodegradable alternatives.
• Promote faculty and student research on microplastics in soil, biodiversity impacts, and innovations for sustainable material substitution.
• Publish annual results on plastic-waste reduction in the University's Sustainability Report and share findings with the National Center for Waste Management.

5. Implementation and Responsibilities

• The President of Qassim University, delegated through the relevant Vice-Presidents, Deans, and Directors, holds the ultimate responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of this Policy.
• Facilities and Services Departments: Manage collection infrastructure, ensures plastic-free landscaping, and coordinates clean-up programs.
• Responsible General Administration Department: Implements green procurement standards consistent with SDG 12 policies to reduce plastic materials entering campus operations.
• Deanship of Student Affairs: Leads awareness campaigns, volunteer drives, and student competitions on plastic-waste prevention and clean-campus initiatives.
• Responsible Research Department: Supports academic projects on plastic pollution mitigation, soil restoration, and sustainable materials.
• Campus Suppliers and Contractors: Comply with the University's waste-segregation and take-back requirements and provide packaging reduction reports.
• All University Community Members: Responsible for properly segregating plastic waste, avoiding littering, and participating in awareness programs.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

6.1. Baseline plastic-waste data will be established and integrated with the Sustainability Office's central waste-management system under SDG 12.

6.2. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Percentage reduction of plastic waste entering landfill each year.
• Number of plastic-free zones established and maintained.
• Volume of plastic waste recycled or repurposed on campus.
• Frequency and results of campus plastic waste audits.
• Percentage of vendors meeting plastic-reduction contract requirements.

6.3. Data and results will be included in the University's Sustainability Report and submitted annually to the University Council and National Center for Waste Management (NCWM).

7. Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

7.1. This policy will be reviewed every two years by the University Council in collaboration with the Center for Sustainable Development to ensure alignment with national environmental laws, SDG targets, and technological advancements.

7.2. Continuous improvement initiatives include expanding campus recycling capacity, introducing recognition schemes for plastic-free departments, collaborating with municipal authorities for off-campus plastic collection, and integrating plastic-waste research into curricula and student projects.