UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM) students have developed an educational game to promote waste management. The game, named “Dalang Board,” is an abbreviation for “daur ulang board” (recycling board).
The game was created by three students from the 2022 Economics program—Alda Zahra Zhafira, Maudy Nashira Fuadi, and Ayu Lintang Ramadhiani—who collaborated with Nada Avia Edwina from the 2022 Veterinary Technology program and Faturrahman Al Ramadhani from the 2022 Cartography and Remote Sensing program.
The Ministry of Education funded their project, part of the 2024 Student Creativity Program in Entrepreneurship (PKM-K) at UGM.
Alda Zhafira, the lead developer of Dalang Board, explained that the idea for the educational game stemmed from their concern about the plastic waste problem in Indonesia, including in Yogyakarta. Plastic waste is a critical issue due to its non-biodegradable nature, which poses health and environmental risks if not managed properly.
“The excessive use of plastic waste results from the lack of public awareness and education about plastic waste. Therefore, we believe that simple education about the non-degradable nature of plastic is necessary for both adults and children,” she said on Tuesday (Jul. 9) at FEB UGM.
Zhafira emphasized that educating children should involve natural approaches, such as through play. By using games containing detailed information and knowledge about waste, it is hoped that children will understand waste’s nature, dangers, and benefits.
The educational game uses recycled plastic waste to enhance investment value and realistic education regarding plastic waste management.
“We hope Dalang Board can serve as an innovative tool to raise environmental awareness and waste management among children,” she explained.
Dalang Board is designed as a Monopoly-style game featuring general knowledge about waste, including different types of garbage. It educates about the importance of waste management and is made from recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), supporting environmental sustainability. In contrast, typical board games are made from new plastic materials like polystyrene.
The Dalang Board includes a game board, player tokens, and educational question cards about the environment. The supplementary components are made from eco-friendly materials, including wood and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper.
Thus, the Dalang Board communicates environmental messages and takes concrete steps to address global issues such as plastic waste.
“Dalang Board also incorporates Augmented Reality (AR) features to enhance interactive and enjoyable learning while supporting waste management efforts,” Zhafira noted.
Maudy Fuadi added that the Dalang Board is an interactive educational tool to increase children’s awareness of plastic waste issues.
“The educational game is now available on marketplaces like Shopee and Tokopedia and can be ordered through Instagram @pkmk_dalangboard,” she said.
Fuadi also mentioned that one mangrove seedling will be planted for every two Dalang Boards sold. This initiative demonstrates their commitment to environmental conservation.
Reportage: FEB UGM/Kurnia Ekaptiningrum