Parahyangan Catholic University (UNPAR), in collaboration with Tahura Forest Conservation Area (UPTD/Service Technical Implementation Unit) Ir. H. Djuanda and the West Java Provincial Environmental Service of the Republic of Indonesia, organized Clean Up Day Tahura on March 2, 2024, in observance of National Waste Awareness Day. The event, spanning the entire forest conservation area, saw the participation of 94 UNPAR students. A total of 39.82 kg of dry recycled waste and 2.5 tons of residual waste were collected during the activity.
Tahura is a forest conservation area located at the heart of Bandung City in West Java Province, Indonesia. Tahura has started to initiate a collaboration with UNPAR since earlier this year. From an academic point of view, this partnership offers invaluable opportunities for interdisciplinary research, enriching students’ learning experiences and advancing the understanding of ecosystem dynamics and conservation practices. From the company’s point of view, the partnership demonstrates a commitment to corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability, enhancing the company’s reputation and fostering positive relationships with stakeholders and the community. Moreover, the partnership is a beacon of hope, inspiring other institutions and organizations to forge similar alliances to pursue environmental stewardship. By combining their strengths and resources, the campus and the forest conservation area set a precedent for effective collaboration toward a more sustainable future.
The initiative stemmed from the pressing issue of the Sarimukti Final Disposal Site (TPA) reaching its capacity limit, leading to indiscriminate waste disposal in the Tahura area. The goal of Clean Up Day Tahura was to foster awareness and active involvement among the local community, students, and stakeholders in maintaining a clean, beautiful, and trash-free environment in Tahura.
Prof. Tri Basuki Joewono, Ph.D., the Rector of UNPAR, emphasized the university’s commitment to environmental preservation. He highlighted UNPAR’s Integrated Waste Utilization System on campus, which significantly reduces waste sent to landfills.
“We are quite proud of the waste management we carry out because it is done through a sustainable process and has gradually reduced the waste disposed of in landfills. Ecological education designed for UNPAR students can also invite the community to actively participate through an integrated waste and water pollution management model. We are very aware that this big work like this cannot be done alone. We need to join hands,” stated the Rector.
Maria Angela Novi Prasetiati, ST, M.Eng, Head of the Environmental Conservation and Climate Change Control Division of West Java Provincial Environmental Service, stressed the importance of individual responsibility in waste management. She urged for a collective effort to address waste issues at the source, citing alarming statistics of landfills burning and the significant portion of food and plastic waste in the total waste stream.
“Data shows that 40 percent of our waste is food waste. So, we can reduce the waste by managing our food waste. Then there is 17-20 percent plastic waste, which we can manage. Then the rest is just residual waste,” remarked Prasetiati.
Erizka, S.Ikom, Head of UPTD Tahura, expressed optimism regarding the impact of such activities on the ecosystem’s sustainability in Tahura. He encouraged collaborative problem-solving and innovation among the community. “Let’s embrace a mindset of collaboration and innovation to address environmental challenges,” urged Erizka.
In summary, Clean Up Day Tahura exemplifies a collective endeavor towards nurturing environmental consciousness and sustainable practices, mirroring the shared dedication of UNPAR and its partners to safeguarding our planet for the well-being of future generations. This partnership underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between academic institutions like UNPAR and corporate entities in addressing pressing environmental challenges. Such collaborations are crucial in harnessing the collective expertise, resources, and influence necessary to enact meaningful change and pave the way toward a more sustainable and resilient future.
Source: UNPAR