Evaluating the effectiveness of student-driven waste reduction initiatives in university settings

This study evaluates the effectiveness of student-driven waste reduction initiatives across ten universities in Uganda. Using a multi-site qualitative case study approach, data were collected through waste audits, semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and participant observation. The research identified five key themes: initiative structure and leadership, institutional support and collaboration, measurable environmental impact, challenges to sustainability, and engagement and awareness. Findings reveal that motivated student leaders are central to driving waste reduction efforts, often compensating for limited institutional backing. Where universities provided logistical and administrative support, initiatives demonstrated greater longevity and impact, including increased waste diversion and composting rates. However, challenges such as funding shortages, high leadership turnover, and weak policy integration frequently hindered progress. The study applies the Theory of Planned Behaviour, Sustainability Transition Theory, and Organisational Change Theory to explain how individual motivation, institutional context, and systemic factors interact to shape outcomes. This research adds to the African sustainability literature by documenting grassroots environmental action in resource-constrained higher education settings. It offers practical recommendations for institutionalising student initiatives to enhance their effectiveness and sustainability, with implications for similar contexts across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Global South.