Yogyakarta, 25 August 2023 – The Organic Waste Management Training was again held by the Faculty of Biology. On this occasion, 50 participants consisted of groups from the Market Sector Department, Trade and Industry Agency (Disperindag), Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) as well as the Faculty of Pharmacy and Academic Hospital of Universitas Gadjah Mada. Disperindag’s participation in this training is related to waste management in 29 markets in DIY after the temporary closure of the Piyungan Final Disposal Site (TPA) months ago. At least 9 tons of waste are generated every day from the entire market which has not been managed properly.

“There needs to be an effort downstream with education and upstream by sorting and selecting the waste that is disposed of,” said the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., in his speech to the training participants, Friday (25/8). Prof. Budi also said that if people at the household level were disciplined in sorting waste based on its category (organic-inorganic) it would be enough to reduce waste problems.

The Faculty of Biology has held Organic Waste Management Training activities which are attended by at least 25 Hospitals, 17 Islamic Boarding Schools, and 30 Waste Management Communities in DIY. On this occasion, as many as 40 participants from the Trade and Industry Agency, especially the Market Sector Department, attended training in the framework of solving waste problems in DIY markets, especially market organic waste in the form of fruit and vegetable waste. The training took place guided by Soenarwan Hery Poerwanto, S.Si., M.Kes. and Suharjita.

Susilo, Operational Service Manager for the DIY Disperindag People’s Market who also attended the training said that there were at least 29 markets involved and planned to work with the Faculty of Biology in waste management. He stated that the waste collected in each market usually does not only come from traders but also from the surrounding community with the largest amount of waste found in Giwangan Market and Beringharjo Market. Efforts that can be made by the Market Management since the closing of the TPA include limiting the amount of waste that the community disposes of at the market. Susilo also revealed the lack of public education regarding waste sorting and processing.

Faculty of Biology is committed to solving organic waste problems in DIY. In managing waste from DIY markets, Faculty of Biology can collect at least 3 tons of waste every day from these markets and process it. With the waste management technology applied at the Faculty of Biology including vermicomposting and Black Soldier Fly, Eco Enzyme, Bioferlilizer, Eco Lindi and others, the waste degradation process can last at least one week.

The commitment of the Faculty of Biology in waste management which also targets the people and communities in DIY emphasizes their commitment as an environmentally friendly campus and supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Support for the SDGs includes increasing a healthier life (SDGs 3), having an impact on the availability of clean water in the environment (SDGs 6), and contributing to tackling climate change due to the impact of greenhouse gas emissions from organic waste piles (SDGs 13).

Sunday, 4 June 2023 Oceans Day 2023 was held by the Marine Studies Group of the Faculty of Biology UGM as part of their participation in World Ocean Day on June 8 and was attended by 56 members of Marine Study Group and 18 volunteers from Faculty of Biology UGM. Ocean Day 2023 has the theme “Stop Plastic Waste Polluting the Sea”  and comprised two main activities: a seminar and beach cleanup.

The Seminar began at 08.30 to 11.00 at the auditorium of Biology Tropika and was guided by Renisha Windy Puspita Sari (DXXII) and Ahmad Aris B. R. (DXXIII). The seminar began with a welcoming speech from Filda Mega AYU as chairperson of the committee and A. Najib Dhiaurahman , the chairperson of Marine Study Group. Then the seminar continued with a presentation on plastic waste management to reduce water pollution and its solution through marine biology by Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, M.Sc., Ph.D. followed by discussion.

The next series of activities was beach clean-up at Baros Beach which took place 13.00 WIB to 16.00 WIB. This beach cleaning activity is a volunteer activity carried out directly on the shores of Baros Beach, collecting scattered waste in the area and educating about marine waste management.

May the knowledge and experience that has been given at Oceans Day 2023 not stop at this event alone, but be accepted and implemented continuously by all participants , and shared with anyone. Eternal and unlimited, invincible and powerful, such is the ocean. Together, let’s save the seas from all damage and pollution because this can be a real action to protect future generations. Happy World Sea Day! Cheers to Jay KSK!