Committed to becoming an environmentally friendly and sustainable university, Chiang Mai University is advancing sustainable waste management through the Integrated Biomass Management Centre, operated by the Energy Research and Development Institute (ERDI). Guided by the concept of 'Waste to Energy', the center transforms organic waste into clean energy, reducing the need for landfilling while creating added value in line with the principles of the circular economy.
Chiang Mai University currently generates an average of 30 metric tons of waste per day, including organic waste, fuel waste, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), recyclable waste, hazardous waste, glass bottles and metals. Of this total, organic waste accounts for as much as 11.85 metric tons per day, representing a valuable resource for producing alternative energy in the form of biogas and compressed biomethane gas (CBG).
To maximize the value of these resources, the university has developed a comprehensive waste management system that begins with waste segregation at the source, including cafeterias, food vendors, dormitories and other areas across campus. The organic waste then undergoes anaerobic digestion to produce clean energy, which is used on campus for electricity generation, fuel production and environmental operations. The remaining by-products are processed into organic fertilizers for agricultural use.
This approach demonstrates that waste is not simply something to be discarded, but a valuable resource that can generate income and deliver benefits to society. One metric ton of organic waste can create an economic value of approximately 1,500-2,000 baht through electricity generation, reduced transportation costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. It also helps lower waste management costs while minimizing the environmental impacts associated with landfilling.
Every day, hundreds of metric tons of waste enter Chiang Mai Province's waste disposal system, which continues to rely primarily on landfilling. In response, Chiang Mai University has developed a waste management model that prioritizes waste separation at the source, supported by an efficient end-to-end management system that transforms waste from an environmental burden into a valuable resource.
Beyond campus, Chiang Mai University works closely with local administrative organizations and surrounding communities to promote the systematic collection and management of organic waste. The university is also developing digital technologies to monitor waste collection and management, improving the efficiency of greenhouse gas reduction efforts while encouraging greater public participation in environmental protection.
Over the past seven years, the Integrated Biomass Management Centre has reduced landfill waste by 95 percent. It has also become an important learning center for energy and environmental management, welcoming visits and knowledge exchange from public and private organizations, educational institutions and local communities.
Looking ahead, Chiang Mai University aims to expand the center’s organic waste processing capacity to 30 metric tons per day, reduce landfill waste by more than 2,000 metric tons annually, generate 100,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4,500 metric tons of CO? equivalent annually, and produce 10,000 kilograms of biogas each year as a substitute for diesel fuel.
The 'Waste to Energy' model exemplifies how knowledge, research and innovation can be applied to address environmental challenges while creating value from resources once regarded as waste. Through this initiative, Chiang Mai University continues to drive society towards a more sustainable future, guided by the belief that ‘Waste is not a burden, but a resource that creates clean energy and opens new opportunities for sustainable cities.'
