CATBALOGAN CITY- As Samar State University (SSU) aims to innovate its strategies in terms of Zero waste management, the Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Gina U. Españo together with Administrative Officer Ms. Ma. Angelica O. Edar, General Services Director Mr. Faustino L. Candido, and Administrative Aide Mr. Windell Delgra arrived in Kamikatsu, Japan on December 4, (22) to train on (Zero Trash) Training: The 5RS Innovation of Samar State University in Environmental Management System.
Kamikatsu in Tokushima prefecture in Japan is known to promulgate Zero waste policy under the assistance of a non-profit organization called Zero Waste Academy (ZWA). The recycling technique of this town is so successful that the town expects a total zero waste before the year ends.
Adding to the three (3) Rs in Waste Management (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) is Kamikatsu’s fourth R-Respect and SSU’s fifth R-Remember─a goal of the University for successful zero waste management through continuous and inclusive Learning and Development.
“SSU envisions that when the 5 Rs are embedded in the system and being conducted regularly in the University, then it will remind the personnel of the Zero Trash project by ZWA. This whole new system and process entail provisions of new facility for sorting of plastics only, papers only, non-bio and biodegradable materials only- an innovative system which could be another first for the region, if not in the Philippines,” stated Dr. Españo.
This travel is still part of SSU’s continued efforts along internationalization. And while the University has been sending non-teaching personnel for advancing knowledge frontiers, this is the first time that the maintenance and utility services joined in an international travel marking it a milestone for the University.
The SSU delegates will acquire skills and embody the “Learn, Acquire, Act” philosophy and benchmark on the best practices of Kamikatsu for zero waste management up until Sunday, December 11.
