The issue of waste management has become increasingly critical in Indonesia. The country’s consumption of products that generate waste continues to rise each year. According to data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia produces 64 million tons of trash annually, with household waste such as food scraps, plastic, and other organic waste accounting for about 60 percent of the total volume.
To address this concern, Bina Antarbudaya Educational Organization partnered with the Directorate of Community Service at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) to introduce household waste management for high school and dormitory students across the Special Region of Yogyakarta.
The event took place at the UGM Center for Environmental Studies (PSLH UGM) on Tuesday (Oct. 14), featuring Bayu Imamtoko, a waste management activist and founder of Resikplus, as the keynote speaker.
Participants learned how to process household waste, distinguish between organic and non-organic waste, and deliver group presentations on the Future Waste concept, which encouraged creative and critical thinking about environmental issues. They also practiced using simple tools such as drip composters to turn organic waste into compost.
During the compost-making session, Imamtoko explained that simple composting can be done at home using drip composters or stacked buckets filled with organic kitchen waste such as leftover food, fruit peels, and other biodegradable materials.
Proper composting techniques, he noted, ensure that the compost does not emit unpleasant odors or attract flies. He emphasized that the key to successful composting lies in layering dry materials on top of each layer of waste to maintain dryness and prevent excessive moisture.
“The success of composting can be seen when it produces no smell. Even simple composting methods can make a big difference for the environment,” said the speaker.
Imamtoko further highlighted the importance of active and collective responsibility among the government, communities, and producers in managing waste.
He explained that around 80 percent of household waste should ideally be managed independently by the public through simple sorting and processing at home, while the remaining 20 percent, mostly residual waste such as sanitary pads and disposable diapers, should be handled by the government.
“Household waste should be managed within the household itself. The government only needs to handle what’s left,” Imamtoko emphasized.
Anggita, a student representative from SMA Muhammadiyah 2, said the event was both engaging and educational because it combined presentations with hands-on composting practice. She found the activity enriching and insightful regarding ongoing environmental issues.
“I’ve learned more about waste management from understanding the problem to applying solutions in daily life,” she said.
Andrea Jelvabelani, the event coordinator, emphasized the importance of early education, particularly for high school students, in learning to manage organic waste independently.
She explained that high school students were chosen as the target group because they are among the largest generators of food waste. Through this program, students are expected to learn how to handle food scraps and organic waste responsibly.
“We hope this activity will open opportunities for collaboration among schools, environmental communities, and the government to promote sustainable waste management,” Jelvabelani said.
The UGM Director of Community Service, Dr. Rustamaji, stated that the waste management issue has become more pressing as final disposal sites (TPA) struggle to accommodate the increasing volume of household waste.
He stressed the need for collective efforts to manage waste, starting from simple initiatives like waste sorting and recycling to generate economic value for communities.
“This issue calls for innovative and sustainable waste management systems. Young people play a vital role in reducing food waste and developing habits that avoid single-use plastics,” said Dr. Rustamaji.
Author: Cynthia
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Salwa