Waste management and sorting remain pressing environmental issues requiring innovative solutions in various regions in Indonesia, including Wonolelo Village, Pleret District, Bantul Regency.
Additionally, the insufficient supply of electricity in the village means that not all roads are adequately illuminated.
UGM students, through the Student Creativity Program (PKM-PM), addressed these concerns and introduced a program that converts waste into electrical energy for street lighting along Bojong Hamlet.
The initiative, Sustainable Streetlight, collaborates with Pelangi Senja, a youth organization for teenagers aged 16 to 25 in the area.
The Sustainable Streetlight research team comprises five students, each from a different academic background: Adinda Putri Romadhon, Lafendra Amalia, Idam Sholikhah, Jane Angguningtyas Deanani, and Qorina Nisrina Hafshah.
They provided training and knowledge on converting household waste into electrical energy and processing the resulting ash for agricultural purposes.
“The methods used in this program include several stages: coordination, introduction, technical training, and periodic evaluations to assess the program’s effectiveness,” said Dr. Eka Firmansyah, the supervising lecturer.
Internal coordination between the PKM-PM team and Pelangi Senja began on May 1, 2024, followed by an introduction to waste sorting and the Sustainable Streetlight program on May 19, 2024.
Training and practical sessions for creating the Sustainable Streetlight device took place from Jun. 6 to July 2024. On Jul. 10, 2024, an organizational structure was formed, followed by training on processing ash into compost fertilizer on Jul. 18, 2024.
“The training we provide not only equips the youth members with new skills but also offers sustainable agribusiness opportunities that are environmentally friendly and high in value,” explained Hafshah, one of the PKM-PM team members.
Romadhon, the PKM-PM team leader, stated that the Sustainable Streetlight program has significantly impacted the Bojong community.
Before the program, many youth members were unaware of effective waste sorting techniques, but now they can independently sort waste and produce compost.
“Additionally, the Sustainable Streetlight device helps residents utilize non-biodegradable waste that is difficult to decompose or incinerate, converting it into electrical energy to power street lights,” she noted.
Tiara, a Pelangi Senja member, praised the success of the Sustainable Streetlight program and described it as an inspiration for youth in Bojong Hamlet.
“Students often ask how to create the device; they want to replicate it so that the benefits are shared across the entire village, not just in RT 05,” she said.
The PKM-PM team hopes the Sustainable Streetlight program will foster the independence of youth members and help achieve a waste-free Bojong Hamlet by 2025.
The five PKM-PM students believe that the waste-based electrical energy produced from their created device is part of implementing a circular economy that supports various goals, such as environmental cleanliness, reducing fossil fuel consumption, and utilizing residual materials for energy provision.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Afif