Firm Determination to Resolve Waste Issues
The issue of waste, particularly in Jogja at the moment, has prompted various elements of society to find innovations and self-management waste activities. Various innovations have been carried out, ranging from sorting, composting, breeding maggots, all of which utilize waste materials. Such activities deserve appreciation because public awareness is increasing.
This statement was expressed by Ir. Agus Prasetya, M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D. (Lecturer of Environmental School of Postgraduate Studies’ Community Service Activities around Campus in the SPs Leadership Meeting Room (05/30/24). Also present at the event were H. Senen Haryanto, SE (Sinduadi Village Head), Chairman of RW 49 Pogung Kidul, Chairman of RT 1, 2, and 5 RW 49 Pogung Kidul, SPs staff, Zainal Abidin Bagir, M.A., Ph.D., Head of Doctoral Program in Inter-Religious Studies (IRS), Dr. Samsul Maarif, M.A., Head of Master Program in Religion and Cross-Cultural (ALB), several SPs staff, and students from S2-S3 Environmental Science, IRS, and ALB.
Furthermore, it was explained that a new problem has emerged, namely, the community experiencing a shift in focus from initially wanting to solve the waste problem to considering the profit and loss calculations in waste management. The most tangible case is that initially, the community wanted to solve the waste problem by breeding maggots. However, over time, the community became preoccupied with maggot affairs, and waste’s problem was neglected.
"The community's intention in managing waste often changes. They want to solve waste problems, but because there are maggots, they are busy dealing with maggots. What is needed now is determination to solve waste. As for maggots, it should only be a side job," explained Pak Agus, the familiar nickname of Ir. Agus Prasetya, M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D.
Responding to this, Muhammad Sulaiman, S.T., M.T., D.Eng., Coordinator of SPs Community Service Field, sees the need for collaboration from various parties to educate the community on how to run a good business process in waste management.
Author: Surono
Photo: Nurvita
Tags: waste management, SDGS 13: climate action: SDGS 15: life on land