ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to map, quantify, and characterize the solid waste generated by the Polytechnic School of the University of Pernambuco (POLI/UPE), and use the data to raise the academic community awareness as to its social and environmental role. Initially, the school infrastructure for waste collection was mapped and two gravimetric analysis tests were conducted in order to identify and quantify the waste components generated by POLI students, faculty, and staff. To assess the level of environmental awareness in the POLI community and survey the degree of adherence to selective disposal, a 2016 project carried out at the institution on the importance of environmental education, environmentally sound practices, and how well students assimilated the ideas of sustainable actions in engineering design. From the gravimetric analysis, it was found that 73% of the waste could be recycled, a higher percentage than that of recyclable materials produced nationally. It was also noticed that non-recyclable waste consists of organic matter and toxic contaminants. After analyzing the results, it is clear that developing an environmental management system, with support from the institution’s administrative offices, could be a potential strategy to raise awareness within the POLI community regarding the correct disposal of waste, as well as the proper destination of such material. This study prompted the creation of several initiatives led by research and extension projects, which were the starting point for evaluating and implementing those initiatives at the studied institution.
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