Semarang, Indonesia – September 3, 2023 – to address pressing environmental concerns, the Conservation Group of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) organized a training on food waste management. The event took place in Gunungpati, Semarang, on September 3, 2023.
Food waste has emerged as a major problem in Indonesia yet remains difficult to tackle due to challenges in management. Many people are indifferent to this issue, often discarding food waste without a second thought after meals. Meanwhile, discarded food waste contains hazardous substances that can have negative environmental impacts, including the potential for fires due to the emission of harmful gases. To address this issue, the FEB UNNES Conservation Group took the initiative to organize training for students to become more prudent in managing their food waste.
The training was conducted in collaboration with Komunals, a zero-waste community in Semarang specializing in food waste management through the use of maggots. Maggots are fly larvae capable of breaking down food waste into organic fertilizer. Additionally, the processed waste by Komunals is sold to enhance economic value.
“With this training, we hope that FEB UNNES students can better understand the importance of food waste management and take concrete actions to reduce its negative environmental impacts,” said [Name], a representative from the FEB UNNES Conservation Group.
This training did not conclude with a single session; students were also provided access to join and learn directly from Komunals in managing food waste, from the initial stages to the maggot harvesting process.
Through the joint efforts of the FEB UNNES Conservation Group and Komunals, it is hoped that concrete solutions can be provided to reduce the problem of food waste and increase environmental awareness among students.