Quantifying Paper Waste Generation to Support Sustainable Waste Management at the Institut Teknologi Sumatera

Abstract

Paper waste generation in higher education institutions represents a significant environmental concern due to its considerable volume and resource potential. At the Sumatera Institute of Technology, paper waste management has not been fully optimized, and data on paper waste generation are still limited. Therefore, this study aims to analyze paper waste generation at the Institut Teknologi Sumatera. The method used to calculate paper waste generation in this study was the waste sampling method based on SNI 3964-2025. Waste sampling was conducted for eight consecutive days in four administrative buildings at the Institut Teknologi Sumatera. The results indicated a total paper waste generation of 11.7 kg/day, with the highest contribution originating from the Student Affairs and Finance Office building (3.9 kg/day). The findings demonstrate that paper waste generation is influenced not only by population size but also by the characteristics of administrative activities, document processing intensity, and institutional work systems. This study provides essential baseline data to support the planning of paper waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programs, contributing to the development of sustainable waste management strategies in higher education institutions.

Keywords: Paper waste generation, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, SNI 3964-2025, Sustainable waste management.