Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have been encouraged to evaluate and utilize their substantial capacity for waste diversion, recovery, and recycling in response to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set for the current decade. A significant transition is necessary for society as a whole to move toward sustainable development. Solid waste is a serious environmental problem these days. Due to the substantial population and numerous activities taking place on the campus, the university inevitably generates a significant amount of solid waste from various sources. Implementing source reduction, recycling, and composting not only enhances environmental outcomes but also imparts knowledge about sustainability to students and result in cost savings by reducing the amount of solid waste. The overall aim of the study is to determine the existing solid waste management (SWM) practices and evaluate recycling potential within female campus of the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI). Solid waste samples were categorized using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D5321-92 method for unprocessed solid waste. Over a period of twenty working days, the results found an average of 145.35 kg of waste was produced per week. The average waste composition consisted of 33.74 kg (23%) of paper and cardboard, 22.73 kg (15%) of plastics, 33.87 kg (23.3%) of food waste, and 11.7 kg (8%) of other wastes. During the study period, the waste generated comprised recyclable (55%), compostable (28%), and non-recoverable components (17%). A waste audit conducted over a span of twenty working days unveiled a significant potential for recycling (55%) within the institution. This study highlights the relevance of SDG-12 by assessing waste management practices, promoting recycling and food waste reduction, and fostering sustainability knowledge among students.