In a firm step toward realizing its vision as a Conservation University, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) has enacted Rector’s Regulation Number 21 of 2019 concerning the Prohibition of Single-Use Plastic within the UNNES Environment. This regulation underscores UNNES’s continuous effort to create a clean, green, and sustainable campus ecosystem.
The regulation, issued under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Fathur Rokhman, M.Hum., responds to the national initiative from the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education to reduce plastic waste in educational institutions. Through this policy, UNNES aims to decrease dependency on disposable plastics and cultivate environmentally responsible behavior among its academic community.
The policy requires every campus unit—including faculties, postgraduate schools, offices, and student organizations—to minimize and eventually eliminate the use of plastic bags, disposable bottles, straws, and Styrofoam packaging. Instead, all activities are encouraged to utilize reusable, refillable, or biodegradable alternatives, such as tumblers and eco-packaging.
To ensure smooth implementation, UNNES mandates the following measures:
- Installation of refillable drinking water dispensers across academic and student facilities.
- Promotion of personal water bottles and the avoidance of plastic beverage containers.
- Replacement of event materials such as souvenirs, packaging, and banners with eco-friendly options.
- Continuous monitoring and evaluation led by the Hijau Bersih dan Sehat (H-BaS) task force to assess compliance.
This initiative not only reduces plastic waste but also serves as a model of sustainable governance within Indonesian universities. Violations of the regulation are categorized as minor, but all units are expected to fully comply in line with UNNES’s conservation principles.
Through this action, UNNES reaffirms its leadership in promoting environmental stewardship and the integration of sustainability into higher education practices. The regulation also supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
🟢 SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
🟢 SDG 13 – Climate Action
🟢 SDG 14 – Life Below Water
🟢 SDG 15 – Life on Land
