Table 1: A Comparison of the amount of RMUTL’s food waste measured during the period 2019 – 2023
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Amount of waste | 9.67 tons | Less than one ton | 4.05 tons | 9.00 tons | 9.52 tons |
| Remarks | Before Covid-19
Full-time onsite learning |
Online learning due to Covid-19 | Combined Online and onsite learning due to Covid-19 | Full time onsite learning | Full time onsite learning |
Food waste data at RMUTL over the past four years, from 2019 to 2023, provides insights into changes influenced by both normal educational operations and the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This evaluation, based on metrics in Table 1, highlights food waste in metric tons, recorded annually by the Department of Building and Facility Development. The baseline year of 2019 represents pre-COVID-19 conditions when RMUTL operated fully on-site, resulting in a food waste volume of 9.67 tons, reflecting typical waste generation for that period.
The scenario shifted dramatically in 2020 when COVID-19 led to an emergency declaration by the Thai government. This prompted a shift across educational institutions to online learning, alongside work-from-home arrangements for staff. These adaptations contributed to a sharp decrease in on-campus food waste, reducing it to below one ton, as on-site activities were minimized. This data illustrates the significant correlation between on-site presence and food waste generation, underscoring how external factors, such as the pandemic, can lead to marked reductions in institutional waste levels.
The data from 2021 highlights Thailand’s gradual relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions and efforts by the global community to adapt to a new normal, fostering collective immunity against the virus. This shift toward a more relaxed approach to public health has renewed hopes of returning to pre-pandemic lifestyles, despite lingering vigilance. In this evolving context, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL) has adopted a hybrid model for education while maintaining strict health protocols.
Interestingly, RMUTL’s waste management data reveals a correlation between teaching modes and food waste levels. During the hybrid and online teaching phases, food waste was significantly reduced, reaching around 4.05 tons, close to half the volume seen in fully onsite years, such as 2019 and 2022. In contrast, with the return to more in-person teaching in 2023, food waste rose again to 9.52 tons, suggesting a direct link between physical campus presence and increased waste production. This data underscores how adjustments in educational practices impact not only academic operations but also ecological factors, pointing to potential benefits of hybrid approaches in managing campus waste.
