ENGINEERING-BASED APPROACHES TO INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCE RECOVERY: A CASE STUDY OF SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

Increased waste generation, especially in institutional environments such as universities, presents an urgent challenge for engineers and environmental scientists. This paper adopts an engineering perspective to analyze waste streams, characterize their physicochemical properties, and evaluate appropriate handling, treatment, and recovery processes. Emphasis is placed on the design and optimization of solid and liquid waste management systems, including recycling technologies, energy recovery pathways, and advanced treatment methodologies. The study examines the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as a model academic environment, proposing a closed-loop system for sustainable resource utilization. Engineering strategies for material flow analysis, process integration, and life cycle assessment (LCA) are explored to inform sustainable waste handling.