Karshi State University promotes responsible consumption and production through waste prevention, recycling, reuse of materials, sustainable procurement, digitalization, water management, and environmental education. The university applies the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3R) across campus operations and works with external waste-management partners to improve resource efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.
The university has established a waste-separation system with designated containers for paper, plastic, and organic waste near faculty buildings. Collected recyclable materials are transferred to a central collection area, weighed, documented, and sent for recycling in cooperation with Eco-Trans, a licensed waste collection and disposal organization in Uzbekistan.
Paper and plastic waste:
| Waste category | Previous year (tonnes) | 2025 (tonnes) | Reduction (tonnes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper | 73.3 | 47.4 | 25.9 |
| Plastic | 45.3 | 29.2 | 16.1 |
| Total | 118.6 | 76.6 | 42.0 |
In 2025, paper and plastic waste totalled 76.6 tonnes, a reduction of 42 tonnes compared with the previous year. These efforts support more efficient material use and improved waste management across academic and administrative buildings.
The university separates organic waste generated by cafeterias, student dormitories, and campus green areas. Food and leaf waste are collected and processed for reuse where possible.
| Organic waste category | Previous year (tonnes) | 2025 (tonnes) | Reduction (tonnes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food waste | 317.4 | 209.3 | 108.1 |
| Leaf waste | 35.3 | 18.3 | 17.0 |
| Total organic waste | 352.7 | 227.6 | 125.1 |
The university's organic waste management initiatives include:
- 18.7 tonnes of food waste processed and reused as animal feed through granulation.
- 18 tonnes of leaf waste converted into nutrient-rich biomass fertilizer using California red worms.
- Separate collection, storage, and processing of organic materials.
- Cooperation with Eco Trans for the appropriate management of remaining waste.
These practices reduce waste requiring disposal and promote circular resource use by returning useful materials to productive applications.
The university monitors inorganic waste generation and promotes the reuse and recovery of construction materials.
| Waste category | Previous year (tonnes) | 2025 (tonnes) | Reduction (tonnes) | Reported reuse or recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total non-toxic inorganic waste | 381.0 | 245.7 | 135.3 | — |
| Construction materials, including metals | 262.4 | 169.1 | 93.3 | 52.7 tonnes upcycled |
| Paper | 73.3 | 47.4 | 25.9 | Sent for recycling |
| Plastic | 45.3 | 29.2 | 16.1 | Sent for recycling |
The figures show a reduction in non-toxic inorganic waste from 381 tonnes to 245.7 tonnes. Construction waste management includes material recovery and the reuse of suitable materials, supporting more efficient use of resources and reduced disposal requirements.
Karshi State University applies specific handling procedures to toxic waste generated by laboratory activities, medical training units, and maintenance facilities.
| Indicator | Previous year | 2025 | Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toxic waste generated | 1.7 tonnes | 1.1 tonnes | 0.6 tonnes |
Hazardous waste management measures include:
- Separation and appropriate labelling of hazardous materials.
- Temporary storage under controlled conditions.
- Safe internal collection and transportation.
- External collection and treatment through Eco Trans.
- Regular inspections and staff training.
The Department of Maintenance and Environmental Management oversees these processes to support safe handling, reduce hazardous waste generation, and prevent environmental contamination.
The university promotes responsible consumption by reducing disposable materials and encouraging reusable alternatives.
Key initiatives include:
- Replacing single-use plastic containers in university cafeterias with reusable ceramic or metal tableware.
- Providing filtered drinking water in student dormitories as an alternative to plastic water bottles.
- Encouraging double-sided printing and reducing unnecessary paper use.
- Promoting electronic communication and digital administrative processes.
- Raising awareness of responsible waste disposal and material reuse.
These measures encourage students and employees to adopt more sustainable consumption habits in their daily activities.
Karshi State University uses digital platforms to reduce paper consumption and improve administrative efficiency.
- The HEMIS system is used to manage class schedules, orders, reports, and student gradebooks electronically.
- Google Classroom and Moodle support digital teaching and learning.
- Electronic communication reduces the need for printed documents.
- Internal digital records track waste generation, collection, and recycling.
- The ICT Department and the Department of Maintenance and Environmental Management analyze waste data to evaluate performance and plan reduction measures.
Digitalization supports more efficient resource use while helping the university monitor its waste-management activities.
The university's Environmental Sustainability Policy prioritizes environmentally friendly and ethically sourced products, sustainable food and catering services, responsible printing, and efficient resource management.
Sustainable procurement supports the selection of environmentally friendly and locally sourced materials for campus operations and maintenance. The university also identifies energy-efficient equipment, reduced paper consumption, and sustainable catering practices as priorities.
The reported sustainable procurement allocation is part of the university's sustainability-related expenditure and should not be interpreted as expenditure exclusively on waste reduction.
Responsible water use and wastewater management form part of the university's resource-efficiency commitments.
- All university buildings are connected to the regional sewer network.
- Approximately 60,000 m³ of wastewater are discharged annually into the regional sewer network.
- Cooperation with the Kashqadaryo Regional Water and Wastewater organization supports wastewater collection and treatment.
- Underground sewer pipelines are maintained to help prevent leakage, contamination, and blockages.
- The university's environmental policy promotes water conservation, efficient irrigation, and wastewater recycling where feasible.
These measures support responsible management of water-related waste streams. The stated wastewater volume represents discharge into the regional sewer network, not a quantified volume of wastewater recycled by the university.
Karshi State University promotes responsible consumption through awareness campaigns, student participation, and cooperation with local environmental organizations.
Activities include:
- Eco Week, featuring waste-separation training, environmental events, and awareness campaigns.
- Cooperation with the Kashkadarya Regional Ecology Department on environmental education.
- Student-led clean-up activities organized by the volunteer group Yosh Ekopatrul.
- Campaigns promoting reduced paper and plastic consumption.
- Seminars such as "Save Nature," "Ecological Culture – Sustainable Future," and "Green Uzbekistan."
- An international scientific and practical conference on "Environmental Education and Sustainable Development," attended by more than 100 scientists and students.
These initiatives encourage responsible consumption habits and strengthen awareness of waste prevention, recycling, and environmental protection.
The university uses digital records and data analysis to monitor waste generation, track recycling activities, and evaluate progress under the 3R approach. Waste collection and recycling data are maintained through internal digital platforms. The ICT Department and the Department of Maintenance and Environmental Management jointly analyze information and prepare annual assessments to identify opportunities for improvement. Cooperation with Eco Trans also supports the monitoring of waste collection and disposal processes.