โรงเริอนจัดเก็บของเสียอันตราย มจธ.

“Did you ever wonder what happens to all the toxic waste produced by a university?” I ask, gesturing towards the unassuming building. “This, my friends, is the King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi Toxic Waste Recycling Plant. It’s not your typical tourist attraction, but it tells a vital story about KMUTT’s commitment to sustainability.” King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, KMUTT, grapples with a significant amount of waste generated from its educational and research activities. Over 2,000 chemical substances are used in its laboratories, leading to nearly 12 tons of hazardous waste annually. But KMUTT has risen to the challenge, achieving a 100% treatment rate for its toxic waste in 2024. The Hazardous Waste Management System at KMUTT was developed in 2005 and has seen continuous improvement. It’s a multi-step process, designed to handle the diverse waste streams produced on campus. The process begins with meticulous waste segregation. Toxic waste from general municipal solid waste is separated from waste generated in research activities. The municipal waste is then safely outsourced to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Waste from the laboratories, however, makes its way here, to the Hazardous Waste Storage Building on KMUTT’s Bangkhuntein campus. This facility, built to WHO standards, securely stores the waste in containers kept off the ground and under cover, minimizing environmental risks. The system then moves to collection, where daily volumes of hazardous waste are meticulously recorded. This isn’t simply about bookkeeping. It allows KMUTT to track trends, optimize processes, and maintain stringent safety standards. This data transparency is another aspect of KMUTT’s commitment to responsible waste management. But what happens after storage and recording? KMUTT has ambitious targets. They aim to reduce hazardous waste by 70% by 2030, compared to their 2007 baseline, and by 2024, they had already achieved a 58.16% reduction. Reuse and recycling are key elements of this strategy, with KMUTT working towards a goal of 40% reuse/recycle by 2030. They are well on their way, having achieved a remarkable 94.52% reuse and recycling rate in 2024 compared to the 2015 baseline. On-site treatment also plays a significant role. KMUTT is targeting 20% of hazardous waste to be treated on-site by 2030, and in 2024, they had achieved 86.10% of that goal, which also helps them reduce costs. Inside this facility, toxic waste undergoes various treatment processes, ranging from physical and chemical treatments to biological processes, transforming hazardous substances into safer forms before disposal. KMUTT also prioritizes training and education in hazardous waste management. In 2024, over 5,424 students and staff participated in training programs covering theoretical and hands-on aspects of waste segregation, classification, storage, and disposal. As we conclude our visit to the KMUTT Toxic Waste Recycling Plant, we can appreciate this quiet testament to environmental responsibility. KMUTT’s dedication to the safe and sustainable handling of hazardous waste exemplifies how institutions can be proactive in safeguarding public health and the environment.