One of UGM’s efforts to reduce the impact of environmental damage is by implementing waste reduction as a performance achievement target (TCK). To determine the amount of reduction, there is waste tracking management, which includes a waste segregation procedure which has been running for more than seven years. The amount of waste sent to the landfill is calculated based on the number of garbage trucks entering the waste processing facility at the UGM Waste Processing Laboratory PIAT (https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/kampanye-zero-waste-ugm-olah-sampah-secara-mandiri/), commonly known as “Rumah Inovasi Daur Ulang – (RINDU)” also known as the House of Innovation for Recycling (Recycling et al. at the Agro Technology Innovation Center), located at Kalitirto, Berbah, Sleman. On average, every day, there are 3 garbage trucks or around 6-7 cubic meters entering PIAT from UGM. The waste processed and taken by PIAT is only the waste that has gone through a sorting process. Waste will be collected from 13 cluster depot points at UGM.
UGM has a long-standing commitment to waste disposal management as part of achieving a sustainable campus. Within this agenda, UGM has established the waste recycling centre at the “Rumah Inovasi Daur Ulang – (RINDU)” also known as the House of Innovation for Recycling. Having this RINDU site is a benefit for UGM and at the same time, reduces the burden of Yogyakarta Province (where UGM is located) on landfill waste disposal. This RINDU recycle centre is managed by and located within the Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT: Pusat Inovasi Agro Teknologi) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). The House of Innovation for Recycling “RINDU” is part of UGM’s evolving plans, which will be refined continuously until 2028. Spanning multiple phases and long-term sustainability goals, the RINDU program involves several key components. These components include the integration of advanced recycling processes, the involvement of technology licensors to enhance the efficiency of waste management technologies, the development of a comprehensive total solution system for waste processing, and the replication of successful models in other contexts. The key components of RINDU are also parallel with the principles of the reduce, reuse, recycle (3R) program, focusing on minimising waste generation at the source, promoting the reuse of materials where possible, and efficiently recycling what remains. RINDU program also continuously educates all stakeholders at UGM, either at the faculty or working unit level and advances waste treatment technologies; the program aims to reduce the overall environmental impact of waste and create a model for sustainable waste management. As a model of campus sustainable waste management, RINDU offers opportunities for replication in another setting, which contributes to positive externalities and long-term environmental and economic benefits.
The waste management recycling program conducted by PIAT and the faculties at Universitas Gadjah Mada has made it the first university in Indonesia to manage 100% of its waste production independently. This initiative represents a collaborative innovation integrating expertise from the Faculty of Engineering, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and other disciplines, demonstrating a responsible approach to UGM campus waste management.
Universitas Gadjah Mada Strategic Plan 2022-2027, which contains a campus atmosphere that supports sustainable behaviour (p.11 and p.15) à UGM is committed to fighting for harmony and balance between humans and nature for the sake of sustainability in the future (sustainability).
Circular Letter Number 8846/UN1.P.V/Dit-Aset/TR.01.02/2023
Circular Letter Number 9034/UN1.P/OT.01.03/2024
Rector’s Circular Letter No. 16839/UN1.P/HK.02/2024 concerning good practices for sustainable living.
UGM’s waste management policy and standard operating procedures (SOPs) developed by the Directorate of Assets have been translated into SOPs for waste management at the faculty level. This ensures a comprehensive process for recording and sorting waste inside and outside the building, which is then sent to the PIAT (Recycling and Recycling Agency). Several faculties have implemented independent processing of leaf litter and organic waste. The resulting compost is used to maintain plants within the faculties, and some products have been sold to the public, an example in FKKMK UGM.
References:
- Waste Management in the University Environment
- Universitas Gadjah Mada Strategic Plan 2022-2027
- Circular Letter Number 8846/UN1.P.V/Dit-Aset/TR.01.02/2023
- Circular Letter Number 9034/UN1.P/OT.01.03/2024
- Zero Waste Campaign
- Rector’s Circular Letter on Sustainable Lifestyle
- https://fkkmk.ugm.ac.id/layanan-sarana-prasarana/pengelolaan-sampah/dokumen-pos-pengelolaan-sampah/