Background: Determining and recognizing solid waste composition can be considered as the first and main step in planning and
developing waste management processes in an area.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the production and determination of waste composition in Kermanshah
School of Public Health, and evaluate the challenges ahead and present practical suggestions based on results for better solid waste
management.
Methods: Collection, separation, and weight measurement of solid wastes in the school of Public Health, and departments such as
self-service, laboratories, buffet, office, and yard, were done during a working week from Saturday to Wednesday. Then the results
and data were analyzed using Excel software version ۲۰۱۹.
Results: The results of data analysis, after collecting, separating, and weighing each solid waste component revealed that food waste
accounts for ۴۸% of the total solid waste production. Also, other waste components include ۳۲% plastic, ۱۴% paper and cardboard,
۶% garden waste, and nearly ۰% glass and metals, together comprising an average amount of waste produced daily from Saturday
toWednesday during a week. It was also found that the generated waste per capita was ۱۰۴.۲۹ grams per person per day. The highest
and lowest amount of generated waste per capita was related to food waste with ۴۹.۴۵ grams per day and metal waste with ۰.۱۷
grams per day, respectively.
Conclusions: Due to the predominant percentage of organic matter and the small portion of the glass and metal waste in the composition
of waste produced in the school, the application of compost production methods seems to be a justifiable and economical
way to dispose of the waste generated in the School of Public Health. Also, the presence of paper, cardboard, and plastic in the
mentioned quantities warns us to pay attention to the recycling programs from the source.