UGM has implemented a systematic approach to track, measure, and manage food waste. This is an essential step in minimizing waste and promoting sustainable food practices within its campus community.
- Standard Operating Procedure on waste disposal management
As a basic practice, UGM operates according to Standard Operating Procedure 05.03.01 on waste disposal management. This procedure highlights the university’s commitment to a structured approach to waste disposal, which includes quantifying food waste. Systematic evaluation of food waste plays a key role in these efforts, enabling UGM to assess the amount of food discarded and identify opportunities for further waste reduction. Monitoring food waste quantities also strengthens the university’s broader waste management goals, promoting responsible consumption and sustainable campus practices.
In 2023, UGMβs Directorate of Assets issued Circular Letter Number 8846/UN1.P.V/Dit.Aset/TR.01.02.2023, which provides detailed guidelines for organic waste management, including food waste, within the university. This directive schedules the collection of organic waste from Monday to Saturday, between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m., facilitating regular monitoring and measurement of waste quantities. By tracking the origins and amounts of organic waste, including food leftovers, UGM ensures accountability at the unit level. This structured waste tracking method aids in accurate measurement and creates a streamlined process for identifying departments or units generating significant waste. Such accountability encourages departments to optimize food handling and disposal practices.
Further supporting these initiatives, UGMβs Rectorβs Office issued an additional regulation. This regulation mandates all university units to comply with campus waste management policies, reinforcing the necessity of food waste tracking within UGMβs sustainability framework. Through these policies, UGM emphasizes the importance of minimizing waste generation at its source. These steps contribute to a cultural shift within the university, which fosters awareness among faculty, staff, and students about responsible waste disposal practices and promotes sustainable resource use.
- Total volume organic waste produced
Organic waste typically includes biodegradable materials like food scraps, yard waste, and other natural waste products. Table 1 provides data on the quantity of organic waste generated and treated by Universitas Gadjah Mada in the year 2022 and 2023. A comparison of waste production between 2022 and 2023 shows an increase of about 33.88%, driven by the large-scale activities organized by UGM. Significantly, approximately 6.08% of this increased waste is fully processed at PIAT, where it is utilized for maggot cultivation, supporting sustainable waste management initiatives.
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The waste generated by Universitas Gadjah Mada comes from 18 faculties, 2 schools, and several working units. The sorted waste is collected by staff in each faculty and working unit, then consolidated at the cluster waste depot for record-keeping by staff. The Directorate of Assets records the volume of waste based on these cluster depots, ensuring alignment between the faculty and asset directorate records. The total quantity of organic waste in 2023 was 1,088,700 kg including food waste produced by RSA (51,599.65 kg), equivalent to 1,088 tons of waste.
The overall population has increased to 10,7% from the previous year. There are additional study programs at any level for undergraduates and postgraduate students. There are 91 additional study programs divided into 70 programs at the undergraduate level and 21 programs at the Bachelor of applied Sciences. The total of organic waste produced hit the highest percentage in August to December 2023. The academic agenda of New Student Admission (PMB) has been organized. In September, some international event such as Universitas Gadjah Mada Annual Scientific Conferences (UASC 2023) held by Biomedical Engineering. The following are activities or events conducted in August 2023 that contributed highest organic waste production:
- Inauguration of Professors from the Faculty of Engineering (August 1, 2023)
- Inauguration of Professors from FMIPA (August 3, 2023)
- Closing Ceremony of PPSMB Pionir UGM (August 5, 2023)
- Inauguration of Professors from the Faculty of Animal Science (August 8, 2023)
- 78th Indonesian Independence Day Ceremony (August 17, 2023)
- Gelanggang Expo 2023 (August 16-18, 2023)
- Graduation Ceremony for Diploma and Undergraduate Programs, Period IV, Academic Year 2022/2023 (August 23-24, 2023)
The total organic waste includes not only plants but also food waste. In 2023, the campus rules about the pandemic slowly reversed from online to offline activities. Most student and lecturer activities are already done offline, and food waste has also increased. Some local agenda that has been increased the food waste such as Nitilaku 2023 in December. Nitilaku, initially a cultural parade symbolizing Gadjah Madaβs establishment, has evolved into a collaborative cultural spectacle that celebrates the contribution of alumni, communities, the private sector, and the government.Β
Subsequently, the waste undergoes an eligibility check by issuing an exit letter from the Directorate of Assets. The waste collection trucks are then organized to collect the waste from the cluster depots according
As part of the universityβs multi-faculty collaboration in sustainability practices, UGMβs Graduate School has actively implemented these waste management guidelines through Circular Letter Number 3360/UN1/SPs/KKA/HM/2023. This school-level initiative highlights the effective adoption of UGMβs waste management policies within individual faculties, demonstrating how university-wide policies can be integrated into specific departmental operations. By engaging individual faculties in waste tracking, UGM ensures a campus-wide commitment to its sustainability goals. The Graduate Schoolβs proactive role shows how university units can align their operations with broader sustainability objectives.
UGMβs food waste tracking and management efforts reflect a proactive stance on waste reduction and sustainability. With standardized disposal procedures, scheduled organic waste collection, and faculty-wide compliance, UGM is fostering responsible consumption and environmental stewardship. These actions align with SDG 2, positioning UGM as a model for institutions aiming to reduce food waste and support sustainable development.