Semarang, October 2024 — UNNES is reinforcing its commitment to environmental conservation through a rigorous action plan to reduce plastic waste across campus. Anchored in regulatory, behavioral, and educational strategies, the university’s approach reflects its identity as a “Conservation University” and aligns with its broader sustainability agenda.
Strong Regulatory Foundation
UNNES Students Raise Environmental Awareness with Posters on Environmental Protection, Waste Sorting, and Waste Management
Source: Kompasiana
UNNES enforces Rector’s Regulation No. 21 of 2019, which explicitly bans the use of single-use plastics on campus, including plastic drinking bottles, plastic bags, food wrappers, and disposable eating utensils.
Supporting Measures & Campus Culture
FBS UNNES Holds Tumbler Raffle, Invites Students to Participate
Source: UNNES’ Documentation
To support this policy, UNNES encourages the academic community to bring reusable tumbler bottles, and the campus has significantly increased the availability of ready‑to‑drink tap water stations. Eco‑friendly food containers are promoted within campus dining services.
In addition, UNNES regularly observes “Plastic Day”, a campus-wide event that combines clean-up campaigns and recycling activities, designed to engage students and staff in hands-on action and raise awareness about plastic waste reduction.
Education & Behavioural Change
UNNES Collaborates with Sekaran Subdistrict to Raise Public Awareness about Waste Management
Source: UNNES’ Documentation
Beyond regulation and infrastructure, UNNES embeds this initiative in its broader sustainability policy framework. According to the university’s sustainability/climate action policy, the ban on single‑use plastics is part of a suite of measures aimed at promoting resource efficiency and responsible consumption.
Campus Impact & Next Steps
Through these coordinated efforts, UNNES is working to reduce the environmental footprint of its operations while fostering a campus culture in which reuse, reduction, and recycling are normal behaviours. The leadership encourages the community to see the plastic‑ban policy as a gateway to deeper engagement in environmental stewardship and sustainable consumption.
“Reducing single‑use plastics is more than a rule at UNNES; it is integral to our vision of sustainability and conservation,” said the Rector of UNNES. “We invite every member of our university community to act as a steward of our planet starting here on campus.”
