Indonesian University Promotes Waste Banks to Tackle Environmental Issues

Universitas Islam Bandung (Unisba) is actively promoting community-based waste management through the establishment of waste banks in the Arcamanik District of Bandung, Indonesia. This initiative, spearheaded by Unisba's Zero Waste Team, is part of the university's commitment to becoming an "impactful campus" by tackling urgent environmental challenges.

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One RW One Waste Bank: Alternative Waste Management at the Micro Level (RW)

The program involves collaboration with local government agencies, including the West Java Provincial Environmental Agency and the Bandung City Environmental Agency, as well as community leaders. The goal is to create a participatory approach to waste management, starting with socialization events to establish and develop waste banks in various neighborhood units (RWs) that require assistance.

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Driving Digital Transformation: A New Era of Waste Management from Upstream to Downstream

Two key speakers shared their expertise during the socialization. Mohamad Satori, a lecturer at Unisba's Industrial Engineering Program and Chair of the West Java Waste Bank Forum, discussed the "One RW One Waste Bank" model for micro-level management. Brandon D. Tjiandra, Head of Analytics & Visualization at Smash.id, presented on "Driving Digital Transformation: A New Era of Waste Management from Upstream to Downstream."

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The waste problem cannot be postponed.

Neni Sri Imaniyati, Chair of Unisba's Institute for Research and Community Service, stressed the critical state of waste management, highlighting the limited capacity of final disposal sites. She emphasized that waste banks not only reduce waste volume but also offer economic benefits and foster social and environmental awareness. Imaniyati asserted that the biggest challenge is not technology, but changing public culture and habits regarding waste sorting and reduction. She stated that building a sustainable waste management culture is paramount for success.

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Technology will not help much if a culture of waste management has not yet been formed. Therefore, what we are building is not only a waste management system, but also a community culture that cares about the environment.