The Lokalogi Waste Bank, a new initiative by the Lokalogi Community of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has officially begun operation.
Launched on Saturday (Sep. 20), the program provides a platform for UGM students to deposit and manage their waste responsibly. This initiative marks an expansion of Lokalogi’s previous efforts, which primarily focused on waste sorting interventions during campus events to reduce waste sent to landfills.
Chair of Lokalogi, Fatwa Elok Puspita Jati, emphasized that the waste bank represents a crucial step in encouraging students to adopt more mindful consumption habits.
“This initiative also serves as a direct intervention for waste generated from student boarding houses, homes, and dormitories, ensuring it does not end up directly in landfills,” Jati said in a press statement on Friday (Oct. 3).
To ensure consistency and program sustainability, Jati explained that after its initial launch, the Lokalogi Waste Bank will operate on a regular schedule.
“We plan to open the waste bank twice a month, in the second and fourth weeks,” she stated.
This routine schedule is designed to accommodate students and nearby residents who may struggle to find accessible waste collection points.
The program has quickly received positive responses. M. Helmi Ariyanto, a daily officer at the Lokalogi Waste Bank, reported that student enthusiasm has been notably high.
Ariyanto noted that the total collected waste reached 7.67 kilograms, consisting mostly of high-value recyclable materials such as cardboard (1.9 kg), duplex paper (1.51 kg), and PET bottles (1.215 kg).
Jati expressed optimism that this growing participation reflects rising environmental awareness among students.
“An increasing number of contributors signifies that more people are becoming aware of waste issues and are consistently practicing waste sorting within the campus environment,” she concluded.
Author: Aldi Firmansyah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographs: Lokalogi