ITB Holds Campus Waste Management Workshop: Toward Zero Waste Through Technology, Policy, and Behavioral Change
Bandung, November 5, 2025 — The Bandung Institute of Technology (Institut Teknologi Bandung, ITB) gathered sustainability experts, academics, government representatives, and community members to advance its commitment toward zero waste with the Campus Waste Management Workshop held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The event took place on the third floor of the CRCS Building on ITB’s Ganesha Campus, led by the Directorate of Development and the Directorate of Community Service and Expertise Services (DPMK).
The workshop served as a dynamic platform to design a comprehensive and realistic zero-waste roadmap for campus operations, integrating technology, policy, and behavioral change. Six distinguished speakers with expertise spanning waste management innovations, environmental engineering, circular economy, and behavioral design shared insights and strategies to transform ITB into a modern, hygienic, and truly zero-waste campus.
Developing a Practical Waste Sorting Masterplan
Prof. Ir. Emenda Sembiring, S.T., M.T., M.Eng.Sc., Ph.D., opened the workshop by addressing the challenges faced by current waste sorting systems on campus. He pointed out that the conventional five-category waste bin system is often ineffective in practice due to user non-compliance.
“Five types of bins are too many. The most suitable is a maximum of three,” explained Prof. Emenda. “It’s better to separate properly into three categories than to divide into five but still let everything mix together.”
He highlighted best practices observed at a 3R waste facility in Malang, where meticulous maintenance keeps the area clean and orderly after operations, setting a benchmark for the ITB facility known as IPST Sabuga. Prof. Emenda also announced ITB’s vision for IPST to serve as a “living laboratory”—an open platform for collaboration among campus entities, government agencies, industries, and communities to pilot new waste management technologies and policies.
His long-term goal is bold but clear: within the next decade, zero campus waste will be sent to landfills, potentially reducing ITB’s emissions by approximately 66 percent.
Enhancing Waste Collection and Processing Efficiency
Ir. Joko Nugroho, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., presented ITB’s current waste collection operations. The campus utilizes two dump trucks and one L300 vehicle, running a rigorous collection schedule three times daily. This system minimizes cross-contamination by collecting waste at staggered times.
He emphasized the critical importance of cleanliness in recyclable materials, advising that contaminated plastics and paper must be treated as residual waste to avoid hampering recycling efforts.
On average, ITB sells around 20 tons of recyclable materials annually and composts roughly 400 kilograms of food waste monthly. The IPST Ganesha facility also supports waste management for surrounding neighborhoods, extending its impact from campus to local communities.
Looking ahead, Ir. Joko acknowledged challenges including the need for process modernization, the introduction of digital waste monitoring systems, and engaging more campus members to fully realize zero waste ambitions.
Addressing Food Loss Through Circular Economy Initiatives
Prof. Ir. Ramadhani Eka Putra, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., broadened the scope by discussing Indonesia’s larger challenge: not only food waste but also significant food loss where edible items spoil before consumption. In Bandung alone, he noted, food loss can reach up to 75 percent.
Prof. Ramadhani stressed that viable zero waste solutions must be socially inclusive and context-sensitive, not generic “copy-paste” models. He shared ongoing ITB research on repurposing agricultural waste, including converting coffee waste into flour and other commercially valuable products, exemplifying circular economy principles being developed on campus.
Reducing Residual Waste with Advanced Technologies
Dr.Eng. Ir. Pandji Prawisudha shared detailed data on campus waste volumes, revealing that ITB can generate up to 2.4 tons of waste daily during peak periods. By employing sorting techniques, black soldier fly (BSF) larvae for organic waste processing, composting, and a waste bank system, ITB effectively reduces this residue to about 150 kilograms per day.
To manage this remaining portion, ITB is advancing thermal technologies such as gasifiers and incinerators equipped with electrostatic precipitators, which efficiently remove smoke and particulate emissions.
“We aspire to transition waste management from traditional low-tech approaches to more sophisticated high-tech solutions,” Dr. Pandji said.
Mitigating Emission Risks in Thermal Waste Processing
Addressing environmental safety, Dr. Ir. Haryo Satrio Tomo, S.T., M.T., focused on the risks of toxic dioxins (PCDD/PCDF) formation during the cooling of flue gases in thermal waste processing.
“After combustion, exhaust gas may reform hazardous compounds in the cooling zone if not properly managed,” he explained.
He emphasized the necessity of testing with actual waste samples for reliable system designs and advocated for establishing advanced laboratories and air quality monitoring to safeguard neighboring communities.
Cultivating a Campus Culture of Environmental Awareness
R. Raditya Ardianto Taepoer, S.Ds., M.Ds., Ph.D., brought attention to the behavioral and cultural dimensions of waste management. “Machines alone won’t achieve zero waste; building a culture of care is paramount.”
He showcased award-winning design projects made from recycled materials, including works honored with the Good Design Award in Japan and creations now featured in New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), illustrating the potential of reimagined waste as economic and artistic assets.
ITB as a Model for Sustainable Campus Innovation
The workshop reiterated ITB’s role as a living laboratory integrating technological innovation, policy frameworks, community participation, and environmental stewardship. By embedding circular economy practices, modern waste processing technologies, stringent emission controls, and culture-driven behavioral changes, ITB is charting a path toward a sustainable zero-waste future.
The collaborative spirit captured in the workshop is a testament to ITB’s vision of quality education, innovation, and responsible production, aligning with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (#sdg4, #sdg7, #sdg9, #sdg11, #sdg12, #sdg13, #sdg17).
Reporter: Merryta Kusumawati (Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering, Class of 2025)
Editor: M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.
Contact Information:
Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB)
Jl. Ganesa No. 10, Coblong, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
Email: humas@itb.ac.id
Website: itb.ac.id
For further details on ITB’s sustainability initiatives and upcoming events, visit the official ITB news portal.
Related News:
- ITB Community Service Team Develops Low-Carbon Tourism Concept in Mount Bromo Area
- ITB Student Wins Prestigious International Astronomy Award 2025
- ITB Alumnus Shares Insights on Disaster Resilience Project Management
This article supports ITB’s ongoing commitment to impactful education, research, and community service aimed at fostering a sustainable future.
