National Waste Awareness Day, observed on Feb. 21, was established by the government to commemorate the collapse of the Leuwigajah Landfill in Cimahi, West Java, which occurred 20 years ago on Feb. 21, 2005.
The waste avalanche buried many homes, resulting in 157 fatalities. This incident is considered the second-worst landfill collapse in the world.
In light of this tragic event, prioritizing integrated waste management is essential to prevent similar occurrences. This approach affects not only the local environment and surrounding communities but also the global ecosystem, contributing to climate change.
Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) commemorated the day by organizing a Waste Management Workshop through its Directorate of Community Service and the Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT UGM). The event reflects UGM’s ongoing commitment to addressing environmental issues, particularly in the area of sustainable waste management.
The workshop was held at PIAT UGM’s Recycling Innovation House (RinDU), located in Kalitirto Village, Yogyakarta, as part of its efforts to promote integrated waste management solutions.
Hundreds of workshop participants attended presentations on waste management at PIAT UGM while witnessing the waste management processes firsthand, such as BSF Maggot cultivation, leaf composting, and waste sorting and shredding.
“Participants also learned about the practices of making eco-enzyme and stacking bins,” said Pipit Noviyani, PIAT manager, in a statement to reporters on Monday (Feb. 24).
According to Noviyani, participants were encouraged to implement similar practices in their respective workplaces through the workshop and direct visits to integrated waste management sites.
“Whatever information participants obtained today, it is hoped that it will motivate you to improve or further enhance waste management in your units,” she expressed.
During the tour of the Recycling Innovation House, which functions like a recycling and waste laboratory, Arief Mujaab, an official, explained in detail the process of cultivating BSF maggots over approximately 14 days, starting from eggs, larvae, pupae, young flies, and adult flies that accelerate waste decomposition.
Next, participants were shown waste sorting and shredding technology using machines.
Sharing a bit of background, Mujaab mentioned that the waste managed at PIAT comes from across UGM and can amount to 2 to 3 truckloads daily.
“Every day, around 2-3 truckloads of waste are sent here for recycling,” he explained.
The separated waste, classified as organic or inorganic, is reused. The inorganic waste, such as plastic scraps, is used to produce paving blocks in collaboration with a third party.
Bottles are resold, while organic waste is turned into compost, and leftover food from UGM is used for maggot cultivation.
“The leftover food is collected from UGM canteens, mainly from Pujale, Wisdom Park, and mostly from the UGM Academic Hospital, but only non-infectious waste,” he clarified.
In addition, participants visited the leaf composting area, followed by a session on composting and organic waste management.
“In reality, 50 percent of Indonesia’s waste is organic, including at UGM, where 60 percent of the waste is organic, and that’s only from the leaves,” he noted.
Amin Susiatmojo, Head of the Sub-Directorate of Community Empowerment, hopes that the waste problem at UGM can be addressed by collaborating with various elements.
“We hope UGM can manage its waste independently so it doesn’t burden the local government. I believe the waste recycling technology process at PIAT UGM can serve as a good example for other universities to do the same,” he said.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya