Integrated waste management system in Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Waste has become a global problem worldwide. Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) also cannot avoid this problem. Therefore, UNNES has included the sustainable waste management system in its long-term target. However, this target will not be achieved if UNNES does not take any real action. Starting this year, UNNES begin to operate integrated, independent, and sustainable waste processing to replace conventional waste processing, which only piled up the waste in the city landfill. This paper aims to describe this new waste management system of UNNES comprehensively. The study found that the system can effectively handle up to 5 tons of various waste that UNNES produces a day. The waste was sorted and classified into four categories, and different treatments processed it. Leaves and food waste were recycled into compost and black soldier fly (BSF) maggots, respectively. While plastic, bottle, and paper waste were distributed to the third party, they managed the waste. Finally, the rest of the unsegregated waste (e.g., twigs or branches, glass fraction, unrecyclable plastic) were turned into the ashes by an eco-friendly incinerator.