On Friday, September 8, 2023, the Organic Waste Management Task Force from the Faculty of Biology at UGM visited the Borobudur Temple Tourist Park (TWC) in Magelang. The purpose of this visit was to explore collaboration in the organic waste management at both Borobudur and Prambanan TWCs. Leading the visit was Soenarwan Hery Poerwanto, S.Si., M.Kes., accompanied by task force members including Dr. Sukirno, M.Si., Dwi Umi Siswanti, S.Si., M.Sc., Mulyanto, ST.MM, Rujito, and Danang.
The departure of the Organic Waste Management Task Force team was based on the recommendation of the SONJO (Sambatan Jogja) WA Group initiator, Rimawan, SE., M.Sc., PhD., to the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, UGM, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. Subsequently, the Dean tasked the Organic Waste Management Task Force to meet with stakeholders at TWC Borobudur, namely Kristiono Wibowo (Operations Manager), Sumardi (Assistant Manager Merchant Area), and Agus Susanto (Assistant Manager PAK Maintenance). The Organic Waste Management Task Force was invited to visit the Waste Management Area of Borobudur and Manohara, which processes approximately 10 tons of leaf litter waste daily. This organic waste is transformed into compost within 30 days. Following discussions, the Organic Waste Management Task Force from the Faculty of Biology and TWC Borobudur concluded that the decomposition process from leaf litter to compost was still too lengthy.
The Organic Waste Management Task Force from the Faculty of Biology at UGM proposed the use of Bioferti 2023 to expedite the organic waste processing at TWC Borobudur. “Currently, Bioferti 2023 produced by the Faculty of Biology has proven to decompose organic waste into compost within 14 days,” stated the Task Force Chair, Soenarwan Hery Poerwanto. In addition to compost production, TWC Borobudur also has adequate equipment for briquette production. These briquettes are then distributed to power generation units in Cilacap, Central Java, as part of a collaboration with CSR PLN Jateng.
Essentially, the Organic Waste Management Task Force from the Faculty of Biology at UGM has a mission to enhance the quality of the Universitas Gadjah Mada environment, making it clean, orderly, and free from environmental pollution caused by organic waste. This mission aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) number 12, responsible consumption and production, number 13, climate action, and concurrently realizes SDGs number 14, sustainable cities and communities.