The commemoration of National Waste Awareness Day 2024 was welcomed with concrete steps from the Conservation Sub-Directorate of Semarang State University (UNNES) which collaborated with Sekaran Village, Gunungpati in increasing awareness of waste management.
In accordance with the theme of National Waste Day 2024 “Deal with Waste in a Productive Way” Head of the UNNES Conservation Sub-Directorate, Prof. Dr. Amin Retnoningsih, M.Sc. expressed his readiness to collaborate with the Sekaran sub-district in the UNNES campus area to provide instructors in waste management, in a discussion on Wednesday (21/02) at the Conservation Office, Prof. Building. Retno Sriningsih Satmoko.
“Our instructors are ready to teach how to manage waste which is currently a problem in many areas,” said Prof. Amen.
UNNES itself has an Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST) which is managed by the UNNES Conservation Sub-Directorate which is located in Gang Ki Ageng Gribik, Sekaran, Gunungpati. The main focus is processing UNNES TPST waste using special techniques such as maggot, ecoenzym, and biopori to ensure that the waste no longer has to be sent to final disposal sites (TPA).
By implementing the zero waste concept and appropriate waste management strategies, UNNES has succeeded in processing 15 tons of waste every day at TPST with minimal residue levels. Organic waste is processed into compost which is reused on campus and sold to the community and food waste is processed using maggots.
Sekaran Village Head, Sri Hartatin welcomed the offer from UNNES. Even though currently the Sekaran sub-district has carried out simple waste processing such as creating a waste bank, it is hoped that UNNES’ waste processing knowledge can be used in the Sekaran area.
After the discussion activity, it was continued with the activity of installing nets as a preventive measure to prevent the accumulation of rubbish along the road on the banks of the Sekere river. This activity is expected to create a cleaner and healthier environment. This installation is also an invitation to all residents of Sekaran sub-district and surrounding areas to obey the rules and not throw rubbish carelessly.
Also present at this activity were the Head of the Conservation sub-directorate, Head of the Arts, Culture and Character Values Section, Head of the Natural Resources and Environment Section, Head of Sekaran Village, Sekaran Babinsa, Head of the Household Center, Head of Security, and Nature Lover Students.
The activity closed with a talk-show “UNNES Commitment in the Commemoration of National Waste Awareness Day” which was broadcast live by UNNESTV with the Head of UNNES Conservation Sub-Directorate, Prof. Dr. Amin Retnoningsih, M.Sc. and Head of Sekaran Village, Mrs. Sri Hartatin.
Through collaboration between UNNES and Sekaran Village, it is hoped that environmental awareness can continue to be increased, and each individual can play an active role in keeping the environment clean for future generations.
