UGM students are encouraged to develop the habit of sorting and disposing of waste according to its type in designated bins.
During the Gelanggang Expo (GELEX) held at the Pancasila Field, waste bins were provided and categorized into organic, recyclable, and residual waste.
This initiative aims to keep the campus environment clean and healthy and reduce the volume of waste processed by the UGM Center for Agrotechnology Innovation (PIAT) in Berbah, Sleman.
The student community “Peduli Sampah,” also known as Lokalogi, participated in this campaign by emphasizing the importance of waste sorting.
Their efforts are intended to ease waste collectors’ work and assist in waste processing’s final stage.
Throughout the event, they provided separate bins for different types of waste disposed of by visitors: organic, recyclable, and residual.
“The waste here is sorted into three categories: organic, recyclable, and residual,” explained Arya, a student of the Microbiology program in the Faculty of Agriculture, who volunteered for waste sorting activities at Gelanggang Expo on Thursday, Aug. 22.
Arya’s role involved educating GELEX students on correctly disposing of their waste based on its type.
He explained that once sorted, the waste would be utilized as much as possible to reduce the amount of landfill waste. Organic waste, such as food scraps, would be used as feed for maggots.
“We already have a dedicated partner who will take what we process,” he said.
Specific partners are responsible for collecting plastic bottles, paper, and other recyclable materials. Each partner has its own policies regarding the types of waste it accepts.
“Residual waste is usually handed over to UGM’s waste management team,” Arya added.
Ilham, a student from the Vocational College who served on the GELEX organizing committee, noted that the waste sorting program aimed to control waste management better.
“This program makes waste sorting more manageable, and strategically placed bins make it easier for all visitors to dispose of waste properly,” he said.
The waste sorting efforts at Gelanggang Expo are expected to simplify waste management, allowing for a more effective and efficient reduction of unusable waste.
Through this sorting program, the area where Gelanggang Expo is held can remain pristine and free from environmental pollution caused by waste even after the event.
Author: Hanif
Editor: Gusti Grehenson