SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Bukhara State University is a multi-profile higher education institution that strives to build quality education based on sustainable development goals. To address responsible consumption and production across all campuses and reach SDG12, the university has developed an Ethical Sourcing Policy for Food and Supplies and Waste Disposal that regulates relevant action accordingly.
The articles of the Ethical Sourcing Policy for Food and Supplies are given:
Ethical Sourcing Policy for Food and Supplies at Bukhara State University
1. Purpose
This policy aims to establish ethical standards for sourcing food and supplies for Bukhara State University. This policy ensures that procurement practices align with our commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and the well-being of local and global communities.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all departments, suppliers, and stakeholders involved in the procurement of food and supplies for Bukhara State University. This includes dining services, catering, office supplies, and other consumable products used within the university.
3. Principles
3.1. Sustainability
- Prioritise suppliers who use environmentally sustainable practices.
- Favour products that are locally sourced, organic, or produced with minimal impact on ecosystems.
- Reduce packaging waste by choosing products with recyclable or biodegradable packaging.
- Promote the use of renewable resources and energy-efficient products.
3.2. Fair Trade and Labor Practices
- Support suppliers who adhere to fair trade standards, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and the prohibition of child labour.
- Engage with companies that promote worker rights and provide healthy and ethical working environments.
- Avoid business relationships with suppliers that have a history of unethical labour practices.
3.3. Animal Welfare
- Source animal products (meat, dairy, eggs) from suppliers who follow humane and ethical farming practices, such as free-range, pasture-raised, or certified humane.
- Ensure that suppliers follow regulations against inhumane treatment, including overcrowding, cruel transport, and unnecessary use of antibiotics or hormones.
3.4. Local and Community Support
- Give preference to local farmers, producers, and small businesses to support the local economy and reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation.
- Partner with vendors that engage in community initiatives and contribute positively to local development.
4. Implementation Strategies
4.1. Vendor Selection and Auditing
- Perform regular audits and assessments of suppliers to ensure compliance with the ethical sourcing standards outlined in this policy.
- Require suppliers to provide evidence of their adherence to sustainability, fair trade, and animal welfare practices.
- Establish a transparent process for supplier selection based on these ethical criteria.
4.2. Training and Awareness
- Provide training to procurement staff on the importance of ethical sourcing and how to identify responsible suppliers.
- Encourage university departments to actively engage with and promote ethical procurement practices.
4.3. Continuous Improvement
- Regularly review and update the policy to address new ethical standards, regulations, and emerging concerns in sustainable and ethical sourcing.
- Seek feedback from students, staff, and suppliers to improve practices and address potential gaps in the policy.
5. Monitoring and Accountability
- Establish a dedicated committee to oversee the implementation of this policy, monitor progress, and address non-compliance.
- Set measurable goals for increasing the proportion of ethically sourced food and supplies.
- Report annually on the university’s progress towards ethical sourcing, including successes and areas for improvement.
6. Conclusion
Bukhara State University is committed to fostering a culture of ethical sourcing that aligns with our values of sustainability, social justice, and community well-being. By adhering to this policy, we aim to set an example for responsible consumption and inspire positive change both locally and globally.
Also, the university has developed a Waste Disposal Policy that addresses processing hazardous materials, and minimisation of plastic and disposable items. This policy extends to outsourced services and suppliers.
The articles of the waste disposal policy are given below:
Waste Disposal Policy for Bukhara State University
1. Purpose
This policy outlines the principles and procedures for the effective management of waste at Bukhara State University, focusing on the responsible disposal of hazardous materials and the minimization of plastic and disposable items. It applies to all university departments, outsourced services, and suppliers to ensure environmentally sound and safe waste management practices.
2. Scope
The policy covers all types of waste generated within the university, including:
- Hazardous materials (chemicals, biological waste, electronic waste)
- Plastic waste (single-use plastics, packaging materials)
- General waste (food waste, paper, glass, metal)
It applies to all staff, students, contractors, and external suppliers who contribute to or manage waste disposal at Bukhara State University.
3. Policy Objectives
- Ensure safe and responsible handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.
- Minimize the use of plastic and disposable items on campus.
- Promote recycling, reuse, and sustainable alternatives across the university.
- Extend waste management standards to outsourced services and suppliers.
4. Principles
4.1. Hazardous Waste Management
- Identification and Labeling: All hazardous materials must be clearly labelled and stored safely to prevent spills, leaks, and contamination.
- Disposal Protocols: Hazardous waste must be collected, treated, and disposed of in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Only licensed waste disposal companies should handle hazardous waste.
- Training: Staff and students handling hazardous materials must receive proper training on safety protocols, emergency response, and proper disposal techniques.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Regular audits must be conducted to monitor hazardous waste disposal processes. Incidents involving hazardous materials must be reported promptly and documented.
4.2. Minimization of Plastic and Disposable Items
- Reduction Targets: Set targets to reduce the use of single-use plastics, such as straws, plastic cutlery, and disposable packaging. Replace these with reusable, recyclable, or compostable alternatives.
- Reusable Solutions: Encourage the use of reusable items like water bottles, food containers, and shopping bags by making them available for purchase on campus.
- Packaging Policies: Collaborate with suppliers to minimize packaging waste, encouraging bulk purchases and the use of eco-friendly packaging materials.
5. Implementation Strategies
5.1. Collaboration with Outsourced Services and Suppliers
- Contractual Obligations: Include waste management standards in contracts with outsourced services and suppliers. Require adherence to the university’s waste disposal policy, including proper handling of hazardous materials and efforts to reduce plastic waste.
- Supplier Selection: Prioritize suppliers that use sustainable materials and practices, such as recyclable packaging and environmentally friendly products.
- Waste Collection and Recycling: Ensure that outsourced waste collection services follow the university’s waste disposal guidelines and regularly report on waste processing practices.
5.2. Education and Awareness
- Awareness Campaigns: Launch campaigns to educate staff, students, and visitors on responsible waste disposal, recycling practices, and the importance of minimizing plastic use.
- Waste Sorting Stations: Install clearly labelled waste sorting stations across the campus to facilitate the separation of recyclables, general waste, and hazardous materials.
- Workshops and Events: Host workshops and events to promote sustainable practices, including training on hazardous waste handling and reducing plastic consumption.
6. Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
- Audits and Inspections: Conduct regular audits and inspections of waste management processes, including hazardous waste storage and disposal, and plastic reduction efforts.
- Performance Metrics: Establish performance metrics to track progress on waste reduction, recycling rates, and compliance with hazardous waste protocols. Report progress annually.
- Feedback Mechanism: Implement a feedback system for students, staff, and suppliers to report issues and suggest improvements to waste management practices.
7. Emergency Procedures
- Spill Response: Establish clear emergency procedures for dealing with hazardous material spills, including immediate containment, cleanup, and reporting.
- Emergency Contact Information: Maintain and display emergency contact information for hazardous material incidents in all relevant areas.
8. Compliance
- Legal Requirements: Ensure all waste disposal activities comply with local, regional, and national environmental regulations.
- Non-Compliance: Violations of this policy, whether by university departments, staff, students, or external partners, may lead to disciplinary actions, contract reviews, or termination of agreements.
9. Conclusion
Bukhara State University is committed to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility by implementing robust waste management practices. Through the proper disposal of hazardous materials and reduction of plastic waste, we aim to minimize our environmental footprint and set a standard for sustainability within the academic community.
3R programs At Bukhara State University
- At Bukhara State University, we strive to raise the population’s awareness of the importance of waste sorting through the university program named “5 Simple Rules”. The program explains the significance of waste management and introduces ways to cope with its overproduction;
- To facilitate effective waste disposal, garbage separation containers are placed on every university campus to encourage single-stream disposal. Container sets with red, yellow, and green bins invite the university population to separate the litter based on its material;
- The university also tries to reduce the use of paper through a campaign called “Paperwise Warriors”. The campaign asks the university population to reduce the use of paper by choosing digital solutions, double-sided printing, printing on paper when truly needed etc. To do this, the university administration has designed a poster informing people about the ways to minimize paper waste on campus.
- To reduce plastic use on campus, the university has designed a poster informing about alternatives to the use of plastic materials
- The Dormitory administration encourages students in their graduating year to share with home and educational stuff which will not be used anymore. Students who would like to donate items can come to the dormitory building and give furniture, books, and electronics for donations and resold.
To digitalise university operations, Bukhara State University uses “UNIWORK” higher education learning platform to
- access the library, course materials, assignment submission, timetable updates, and communication with teachers
- b. upload lecture materials, create assignments, grade students, and communicate with students
- assign tasks, document exchange, university announcements, notice submissions, and perform cross-department functions.
The university utilizes an application platform for candidates who can apply for the university programs online that avoid hard copy submission. Also, to get information about courses, modules, and study materials, and communicate with instructors and students use the HEMIS platform.
- On the main campus of Bukhara State University, an informative zone to address the harmful effects of plastic on nature. This zone informs about long periods that various plastic waste pollutes the environment until completely decomposed.
Total volume of organic waste produced
| Type of organic waste | Total Produced (ton) |
| – food waste | 5 |
| – green waste (cut flowers, leaves, branches, weeds, grass) | 15 |
| Cattle waste | 5 |
| 25 |
Total volume of organic waste treated
| Type of waste | amount (ton) | ||||
| total | reduced | reused | recycled | ||
| organic | 25 | 0 | 0 | 25 | |
| – food waste | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
| – green waste (cut flower, leaves, branches, weed, grass) | 15 | 0 | 0 | 15 | |
| -cattle waste | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
Organic Waste Treatment
1. At Bukhara State University, organic waste such as food waste is produced by canteens that collect waste every evening and send it to an organic waste recycling plant. The recycling plant is operated by a private company that recycles food waste to produce compost.
2. The majority of the organic waste is produced by collecting cut flowers, leaves, branches, weeds, and grass. The Department of Building and Land Maintenance is responsible for compiling organic waste. The green waste is taken out by a public organization to produce fertilizers.
3. Lastly, cattle waste is produced by the farm of the university which is recycled by the faculty of agronomy and biotechnology to produce fertilizers.
Total volume of inorganic waste produced
| Type of inorganic waste | Total Produced (ton) |
| – paper | 3 |
| – soft plastic | 1 |
| – hard plastic | 0.4 |
| – glass | 0.1 |
| – metal | 5 |
| Total: | 8.5 |
Total volume of inorganic waste treated
| Type of waste | amount (ton) | ||||
| total | reduced | reused | down-cycled | up-cycled | |
| inorganic non-toxic | 8.5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5.5 |
| – paper | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| – soft plastic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| – hard plastic | 0.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.4 |
| – glass | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 |
| – metal | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Inorganic Waste Treatment
To support efforts for maintaining sustainability on campus, Bukhara State University has launched a campaign to collect and treat inorganic waste.
- Paper is collected through single-streamed trash bins and inorganic waste collecting offices located in the university buildings.
- Soft plastic and hard plastic are collected with designated single-stream bins and inorganic waste collecting offices located in the university buildings.
- Glass and metal are collected by a legal private company that has installed its booths on the campuses and rewards contributors with ceramic crockery and silver cutlery
Total volume of toxic waste produced
| Type of toxic waste | Total Produced (ton) |
| – electronics | 0.1 |
| – Paint Products | 0.05 |
| – cleaners | 0.1 |
Total volume of toxic waste treated
| Type of waste | amount (ton) | ||||
| total | reduced | reused | down-cycled | up-cycled | |
| toxic | 0.25 | 0 | 0.25 | ||
| – electronics | 0.1 | 0 | 0.1 | ||
| – Paint Products | 0.05 | 0 | 0.05 | ||
| – cleaners | 0.1 | 0 | 0.1 | ||
At Bukhara State University, types of toxic waste being produced are electronics (burnt LED bulbs, disposed computers, and office supplies), cleaners (Cleaning solvents, Floor/furniture polish, rust remover), paint products (Deck stain, Driveway sealer, epoxy, Glue/adhesive, Oil, latex, and lead paint). Electronics are collected by an electronic waste recycling company once in six months; paint products are returned to sellers who will deliver them to manufacturers for further recycling; a local toxic collection company disposes of unused cleaners