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The workshop brought together six experts to design a realistic zero-waste roadmap based on technology, campus policy, and behavioral change of the academic community. The invited speakers were: Prof. Ir. Emenda Sembiring, S.T., M.T., M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D. (Masterplan & Campus Waste Management Policy), Ir. Joko Nugroho, S.T., M.T., Ph.D. (Waste collection, sorting, and processing), Prof. Ir. Ramadhani Eka Putra, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D. (Biological processing and circular economy), Dr.Eng. Ir. Pandji Prawisudha (Thermal technology & waste-to-energy), Dr. Ir. Haryo Satrio Tomo, S.T., M.T. (Emission control and environmental standards), R. Raditya Ardianto Taepoer, S.Ds., M.Ds., Ph.D. (Behavior, participatory design, and cultural change)

Masterplan: Three-Category Sorting & IPST as a Living Lab

In the opening session, Prof. Emenda Sembiring highlighted the importance of a realistic sorting system that aligns with user behavior. Field observations show that a five-category bin system remains ineffective in practice.

“Five types of bins are too many. The most suitable is a maximum of three. It’s better to separate properly into three categories than to divide into five but still let everything mix together,” he said.

He also described best practices from a 3R facility in Malang, where the waste processing area remains clean after every operation.

“After the operation ends, the floor is cleaned back to its original condition. Our hope is that IPST can be clean every day, with no waste left on the floor and all equipment properly maintained,” he explained.

Prof. Emenda emphasized that IPST Sabuga will become a living laboratory where campus, government, industries, and communities can test technologies and policy mechanisms.

“Please come to IPST. We provide a space for discussion among communities, government, and producers. ITB wants IPST to become a knowledge-sharing hub,” he stated.

He targets that within the next 10 years, no campus waste will be transported to landfill. “If we achieve zero waste, our emissions can be reduced by around 66 percent,” he affirmed.

Collection System: Three Trips a Day, Strict Sorting, and Compost Production

The next session was delivered by Ir. Joko Nugroho, S.T., M.T., Ph.D. He explained that ITB currently operates two dump trucks and one L300, with a three-times-a-day collection schedule. “Because our trucks are limited, waste collection is scheduled at different hours to prevent mixing,” he said.

He stressed that recyclable waste must be clean. Plastics or paper contaminated with dirt are categorized as residual waste. “Even if it’s plastic or paper, if it’s dirty, it cannot be reused. It becomes residue,” he explained.

On average, 20 tons of recyclable waste per year are successfully sold, while around 400 kg of food waste per month is compacted and processed into compost. IPST Ganesha also handles waste from nearby communities. “Around 10 neighborhood units are currently managed by our facility,” he added.

He noted that future challenges include modernization, digital monitoring, and increasing campus participation to truly achieve zero waste.

From Food Loss to Circular Economy: Untapped Economic Potential

In the next session, Prof. Ramadhani Eka Putra highlighted that Indonesia’s challenge is not only food waste, but also food loss—food that becomes spoiled before consumption. “In Bandung alone, food loss reaches 75 percent. It has huge economic potential if we can process it properly,” he noted.

He stressed that zero-waste solutions must be socially inclusive. “Solutions cannot be copy–paste. They need to be revised to fit the context. Everyone needs to be able to use them.”

The ITB research team is currently developing repurposing methods, including processing coffee waste into flour and other economically valuable products—an example of circular economy practices on campus.

2.4 Tons of Daily Waste: Residue Can Drop to Only 150 Kilograms

Dr.Eng. Ir. Pandji Prawisudha presented data on daily campus waste. “In the worst condition, campus waste reaches around 2.4 tons per day.”

Through sorting, BSF, composting, and the waste bank, most organic and non-organic waste can be absorbed. “From 2.4 tons per day, the residue can be reduced to only about 150 kilograms.”

To address remaining residue, ITB is developing gasifiers and incinerators equipped with electrostatic precipitators. “Visually it doesn’t look good because there’s still thin smoke. But once the electrostatic precipitator is activated, the smoke disappears immediately.”

He emphasized that future waste management will become a high-tech sector. “We want to shift from low-tech to high-tech.”

Emission Control: The Challenge of Dioxin Reformation

Dr. Ir. Haryo Satrio Tomo discussed environmental risks in thermal processing, particularly the reformation of PCDD/PCDF (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans) when flue gas cools down. “After combustion, the exhaust gas is at high temperature. It can reform in the cooling zone,” he said.

He stressed the importance of using real waste samples in testing. “If we don’t test with real waste, the whole design can fail.”

Haryo also underlined the need for proper laboratories and ambient air measurement methods to protect surrounding communities.

Changing Campus Culture: From Cleanliness to Awareness

From the design and education perspective, R. Raditya Ardianto Taepoer emphasized that machines alone will not achieve zero waste. “What matters most is building a culture of care.”

He showcased award-winning design works made from recycled materials, including projects that received the Good Design Award in Japan and a design by ITB researchers now part of the MoMA collection in New York—proof that waste can generate both economic and artistic value.

The workshop positioned ITB as a living laboratory for waste management based on research, technology, and community participation. Through the integration of policy, infrastructure, thermal technology, circular economy, emission control, and behavioral design, ITB aims to achieve a modern, hygienic, and truly zero-waste campus.

Reporter: Merryta Kusumawati (Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, 2025)