Waste Awareness Campaign Marks UKDW’s Push for a Greener, More Sustainable Campus
YOGYAKARTA – Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) strengthened its commitment to sustainability with the third session of its Waste Awareness Campaign, held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the Koinonia Auditorium. The event, part of UKDW’s 63rd anniversary celebrations, brought together student representatives from all faculties to promote responsible and sustainable waste management.
Opening the session, Dr. Parmonangan Manurung, S.T., M.T., IAI., Vice Rector for Student Affairs, underscored the vital role of students in spreading awareness and driving real change in waste management.
“Students must be the messengers and the movers within their faculties. If we start with our campus, we can help ease the waste burden in this city,” he said.
The keynote presentation was delivered by Vira Maya Permatasari from the Eco Sae Migunani Community, who highlighted Yogyakarta’s ongoing waste crisis, worsened by the closure of the Piyungan landfill.
“Waste is part of human activity. If it is not managed properly, it will eventually harm us,” Vira explained.
She noted that careless disposal and the lack of waste separation remain major challenges. Mixed waste is often burned, releasing hazardous substances into the air and environment. To address this, Vira introduced the 3A principle: Avoid, Separate, and Process—encouraging individuals to reduce waste at the source, separate it into organic, non-organic, and residual categories, and process it into something useful.
Vira also commended UKDW for providing separate waste bins on campus, but stressed that success depends on awareness and discipline among users.
The initiative received positive responses from students. Putri Elisabet, an Accounting student, shared that the session broadened her perspective on the importance of waste management.
“This program made me realize that waste isn’t just something to throw away—it must be sorted and managed. Especially since we live in a city facing a waste crisis, this kind of education is crucial and should start early,” she said.
Through this campaign, UKDW reaffirmed its commitment to becoming a sustainable campus. As it grows, the university aims not only to be a place of learning, but also a center for character development and social responsibility—including environmental stewardship.
W-ID: jonathan | Ed. (ENG): drr
