The UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM) has launched waste management programs on campus. These efforts not only focus on waste reduction but also on reusing waste as a valuable economic resource.
“FEB UGM is developing innovative waste management programs as a tangible step in supporting sustainability,” said Professor Didi Achjari, the Dean of FEB UGM, on Tuesday (April 16).
“The actions taken are part of our commitment to implementing a sustainable culture and creating positive changes that start from the campus environment and have a societal impact on the community.”
Dean Achjari mentioned that waste management at FEB UGM involves processing organic waste into fertilizer to make biopores on campus.
Additionally, FEB UGM encourages reducing plastic waste by promoting personal drinking thermoses (tumblers) for its members and providing free refillable drinking water through water fountains.
“We promote awareness and participation among students, faculty, and professional staff to realize a green economy on campus. One initiative is to support the development of a green economy by reducing plastic waste,” he said.
According to the dean, this policy aligns with the spirit of reducing plastic waste from bottled drink consumption, which is difficult to degrade and harms the environment.
Although it is acknowledged that FEB UGM is not yet wholly free from using plastic in its campus activities, concrete steps have been taken to manage the plastic waste generated, including sorting waste by type.
Furthermore, another innovative step FEB UGM takes is managing food waste from campus cafeterias to be used as feed for poultry and fish. This effort can create added value from products that were previously considered waste, turning them into something useful and valuable.
The initiatives undertaken by FEB UGM have received positive support from students and campus staff. One is from the Management Department lecturer, R. Muhammad Fajri. According to him, FEB UGM has implemented adequate strategies to reduce inorganic waste and manage organic waste.
“I think the management of organic waste done by processing garden waste and food waste into fertilizer is adequate,” he said.
Regarding inorganic waste, Fajri positively evaluated the introduction of the tumbler usage at FEB UGM in recent years. He found that using tumblers effectively reduces packaged drinking water waste.
However, he suggested that food and beverages in cafeterias and cafes at FEB UGM should be packaged in environmentally friendly materials.
“The provision of consumables at FEB UGM has also started to reduce box packaging. But efforts are still needed to reduce the use of disposable packaging in cafeterias and cafes at FEB by using environmentally friendly packaging,” he suggested.
Meanwhile, Akbar Rahul Muafan, a Management Program student, felt the positive impact of the campus’s waste management movement, which made the campus look cleaner, more comfortable, and environmentally friendly.
He also hopes that student awareness of actively supporting the faculty’s waste management policy can increase.
Rizqi Akhyar Prasetya, an Economics student from the 2021 cohort, acknowledged that the recommendation to use a tumbler has a real contribution to reducing plastic bottle consumption, thus reducing plastic waste around the campus.
“Although not felt directly, I believe that gradually it can make the environment cleaner,” added Prasetya.
Aside from achieving a clean and green campus, the waste sorting and management program conducted by FEB UGM aims to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This program aligns with SDG 12, which emphasizes responsibility for consumption and production practices.
Author: FEB UGM–Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Editor: Gusti Grehenson