As one of Indonesia’s leading conservation universities with tens of thousands of students, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) faces the challenge of managing a large volume of both organic and inorganic waste generated daily across campus. True to its identity as a Conservation University, UNNES has developed comprehensive waste management initiatives that combine education, innovation, and regulatory compliance to ensure environmental sustainability.
To address the growing volume of organic waste—from food scraps, leaves, and grass clippings—UNNES established the Integrated Waste Management Site (Tempat Pengelolaan Sampah Terpadu or TPST). Managed by the UNNES Conservation Development Unit, TPST is located on Gang Ki Ageng Gribik, Sekaran, Gunungpati, opposite the main campus gate. This facility processes waste collected from both the campus and the surrounding community. Waste is first sorted into organic and inorganic materials before being processed into value-added products such as compost and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) maggot feed.
Organic waste processed into compost is packaged and marketed to the public, while part of it is reused to support UNNES’s own green spaces. Meanwhile, maggot cultivation at TPST not only contributes to waste reduction but also creates economic opportunities—the maggots are sold as protein-rich feed for livestock, birds, and fish. With continuous demand from regions such as Semarang, Kendal, and Salatiga, TPST has become a model of a circular economy in university-based waste management.
To ensure safe and sustainable waste handling, UNNES also enforces strict regulations on hazardous waste management through the Rector’s Circular Letter No. B/28522/UN37/PA.00.00/2024 on the Management, Storage, and Disposal of Hazardous and Toxic Waste (B3). The letter, signed by Prof. Heri Yanto, M.B.A., Ph.D., Vice Rector for Planning, General Affairs, Human Resources, and Finance, mandates that:
- All types of B3 waste must be identified and classified accurately.
- B3 waste must be stored in safe, standardized containers to prevent leakage or damage.
- Storage areas must be separated from operational zones, equipped with warning signs, and located safely to avoid contamination.
- Each work unit must coordinate B3 waste management and disposal in partnership with authorized vendors.
- All management processes must follow national environmental regulations, including supervision by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
This policy framework ensures that all hazardous waste at UNNES is managed responsibly and in compliance with national environmental standards, reflecting the university’s strong governance and sustainability practices.
Through the synergy of the TPST organic waste innovation and the B3 waste management policy, UNNES effectively integrates ecological awareness, community empowerment, and regulatory compliance into its daily operations. These initiatives reinforce UNNES’s leadership as a university that not only educates but also practices environmental stewardship—turning waste challenges into opportunities for sustainability, economic growth, and public engagement.
