Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals: University Education and Active Engagement in Waste Management
CME Department Seminar
January 24, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM America/Chicago
Speaker: Magdalena Daria Vaverková, PhD, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (Poland)
Location: ERF 1047
Abstract: There is a growing recognition that universities must play a central role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the area of waste management. Traditionally, education systems have focused on imparting knowledge within narrowly defined disciplines, but today's environmental challenges require a more holistic, interdisciplinary approach. As global waste generation accelerates, more than 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) are generated annually, and at least 33% of it is not safely disposed of. Traditional waste management practices are becoming increasingly inadequate. Landfills around the world are nearing capacity, exacerbating environmental degradation and contributing to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Innovative practices from around the world offer valuable lessons, such as Japan's "Mottainai" philosophy, which emphasizes the efficient use of resources and the minimization of waste amounts. The city of Kamikatsu, Japan, exemplifies this approach by implementing a zero-waste program that has become a global model for sustainability. Universities are in a unique position to integrate these practices into education and research. Emerging research suggests that to achieve the SDGs by 2030, higher education must adopt a new paradigm that 1) fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to address complex waste issues, 2) equips students with both theoretical and practical skills for sustainable practices, 3) integrates behavioral economics to encourage sustainable consumption, 4) facilitates global knowledge exchange on waste reduction strategies, and 5) serves as a living laboratory for sustainability initiatives. These principles can transform higher education and make it a powerful driver of environmental stewardship and social changes.
Speaker Bio: Prof. Magdalena Daria Vaverková is deputy director of the Institute of Civil Engineering, professor in Department of Sustainable Construction and Geodesy at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (Poland) as well as professor at the Mendel University in Brno (Czech Republic). Her research is at the forefront of sustainable waste management, with a particular focus on the challenges posed by postulated the Anthropocene epoch. Vaverková investigates the complex dynamics of municipal solid waste landfills and their environmental impacts, with the aim of developing innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to waste reduction and resource recovery. In addition, her research encompasses waste-related issues in construction, particularly the environmental impacts of construction activities, including demolition and construction waste, and the broader impacts of the urbanized environment on sustainability. Her work emphasizes the urgent need for adaptive waste management strategies in the context of accelerating environmental change and human impacts. Vaverková has led several international research initiatives focusing on sustainable resource recovery and mitigation of landfill impacts. She actively participates in global discussions on waste management as a critical component of sustainability in the Anthropocene, contributing to editorial boards and international academic networks. Her numerous awards and publications underscore her leadership in redefining waste management practices to address the environmental complexities of our time.
Date posted
Jan 21, 2025
Date updated
Jan 21, 2025