Cilegon Students Learn Waste Sorting, Reducing 35 Tons of Trash

In Cilegon, Banten, a proactive initiative is fostering environmental responsibility among young students through an innovative waste management program. The Cilegon City Environmental Agency's "Kolaborasi Sekolah Sirkular Ekonomi" (KOLASE), or Circular Economy School Collaboration, has engaged approximately 38,000 students in comprehensive waste sorting education. This program, which began at the elementary school level, aims to instill crucial habits of waste segregation and management from an early age. By involving students, the agency seeks to create a generation that understands and practices sustainable waste disposal, thereby reducing the volume of waste sent to the final disposal site (TPA). The efforts have yielded tangible results, with the program successfully reducing 35 tons of waste. This reduction not only alleviates pressure on the TPA but also generates economic value, with the sorted waste estimated to be worth Rp58 million. The collected and sorted waste is managed through the Cilegon Waste Bank Forum, which weighs and processes the materials for further use or disposal. Parents and guardians are also integral to the program's success, working alongside students to sort collected waste within school environments. This collaborative approach reinforces the importance of household participation in sustainable waste management. The initiative underscores Cilegon's commitment to environmental stewardship and its innovative approach to tackling waste challenges through education and community involvement.