Redeemer’s University Hazardous Waste and Landfill Management Policy

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Purpose

Redeemer’s University (RUN) recognizes the critical importance of safeguarding environmental health, protecting human life, and ensuring that all waste generated from its academic, administrative, and research activities is managed responsibly.

The purpose of this policy is to provide a structured framework for the safe collection, storage, treatment, transportation, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, including chemical, biological, medical, and electronic waste.

This policy aims to:

  • Prevent pollution and contamination of air, water, and soil.
  • Protect students, staff, faculty, contractors, and the surrounding Ede community from exposure to hazardous materials.
  • Align all university waste practices with Nigeria’s National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) policies and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production).
  • Integrate scientific expertise from ACEWATER (Centre for Water and Environmental Research) and the Institute of Genomics and Health (IGH, formerly ACEGID) into operational waste management, research, and monitoring.


Scope

This policy applies to:

Redeemer’s University operates a structured, inclusive access model that balances openness with resource stewardship:

  • All faculties, research institutes, and administrative departments — including ACEWATER, IGH, the College of Natural Sciences, College of Postgraduate Studies, and laboratories.
  • All types of waste — chemical reagents, medical and biological waste, laboratory effluent, solid waste, food waste, electronic waste, and office waste.
  • All stakeholders — staff, students, contractors, service providers, and visitors within the campus premises.
  • Associated facilities — including waste collection points, storage facilities, composting areas, incineration plants, and designated landfill sites.


Policy Statement

Redeemer’s University is committed to maintaining a sustainable and pollution-free campus.

All waste generated from teaching, research, and administrative activities shall be handled in a manner that promotes environmental protection, public health, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.

  1. Waste Classification and Segregation
    • All university units must identify, label, and segregate waste at the point of generation.
    • Waste will be categorized as hazardous (chemical, biological, radioactive, or toxic) or non-hazardous (recyclable or biodegradable).
    • Dedicated colour-coded bins shall be provided across departments to prevent cross-contamination.
  2. Collection and Temporary Storage
    • Hazardous waste must be collected in clearly marked, leak-proof containers and stored in designated Hazardous Waste Storage Units (HWSUs) across campus.
    • The Physical Planning and Works Department, under the Campus Maintenance Unit, shall ensure that temporary storage areas are secure, ventilated, and routinely inspected.
  3. Treatment and Final Disposal
    • Biological and medical waste from laboratories, clinics, and IGH shall be autoclaved, sterilized, or incinerated in compliance with WHO and NESREA standards.
    • Chemical waste shall be neutralized or treated through approved methods before disposal.
    • Electronic waste (e-waste) shall be recycled through certified waste contractors.
    • ACEWATER, in collaboration with the university’s HSE Committee, will periodically test soil and groundwater around waste disposal points to prevent leachate contamination.
    • The university commits to minimizing landfill use by adopting recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy conversion initiatives.
  4. Landfill Use and Decommissioning
    • Where landfill use is unavoidable, the university shall maintain lined landfill cells, equipped with leachate collection and gas monitoring systems.
    • Periodic environmental impact assessments (EIA) shall be conducted before expansion or decommissioning.
    • Redeemer’s University shall progressively work toward landfill diversion, targeting a 50% reduction in landfill waste by 2026.
  5. Worker Safety and Human Rights
    • All personnel involved in waste handling shall receive training in occupational safety and hazardous material management.
    • Waste handlers must be equipped with PPE (gloves, face shields, boots, and respirators).
    • The university ensures fair treatment and protection of all waste handlers in accordance with the Policy on Protecting Workers’ Rights in Outsourced Activities (2023).
    • No hazardous waste operation shall expose any worker, student, or community member to undue risk.
  6. Research Integration and Innovation
    • The Institute of Genomics and Health (IGH) provides biosafety and infectious-waste expertise, especially for molecular biology and diagnostic research.
    • The ACEWATER centre leads water quality surveillance, pollution monitoring, and waste reduction studies.
    • Joint research projects between IGH and ACEWATER contribute to continuous policy improvement and innovation in waste treatment technologies.
  7. Community Awareness and Education
    • The university will organize annual environmental education programmes and World Environment Day campaigns focused on hazardous waste, recycling, and pollution prevention.
    • Local communities surrounding Ede will be invited to participate in waste-management sensitization workshops led by the HSE Committee and ACEWATER researchers.

               
               
               

                  University Responsibilities                

               
Unit Responsibilities
Directorate of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance (DAPQA) Oversees implementation, compliance, and annual review of the policy.
Institute of Genomics and Health (IGH) Provides biosafety guidelines, biological-waste management protocols, and staff training.
ACEWATER (Centre for Water and Environmental Research) Conducts environmental and effluent analysis, provides evidence-based waste treatment methods.
Physical Planning and Works Department Supervises waste storage, transportation, and landfill integrity.
Procurement Unit Engages only NESREA-certified waste contractors with proof of ethical compliance.
Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Committee Leads awareness campaigns, safety training, and conducts compliance audits.


Implementation and Monitoring

  • Monthly inspections of all laboratories and waste facilities.
  • Annual Environmental Performance Report submitted to the University Management Committee.
  • Digital Waste Tracking System developed in partnership with ACEWATER to monitor waste generation trends.
  • Corrective action plans implemented within 30 days of any non-compliance.
  • The policy is reviewed biennially (last reviewed: June 2023) to align with updated environmental standards.

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