Yogyakarta, March 9, 2026—The Bala Gadjah Mada Team from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), is promoting sustainable waste management in the communities of North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan, to address the surge in waste in the buffer zone of the Indonesian Capital City (IKN).
Bala Gadjah Mada has promoted “Strengthening the Waste Bank Community” as its social project to address this waste problem. One of Bala Gadjah Mada’s members, Kholifa Tata Suharta, stated that the development of the IKN has impacted the surrounding areas, including the Pemaluan Village. He explained that the volume of waste has increased, while waste management capacity still relies on incineration or burial.
To improve the waste management capacity of Pemaluan Village, the Bala Gadjah Mada Team conducted practical training on organic waste processing using Lodong Sisa Dapur (Losida). As a solution for decomposing kitchen scraps, Losida converts waste into liquid organic fertilizer that can be reused and has high economic value. The Bala Gadjah Mada team also provided a guidebook and videos to support the sustainability of this program.
The Waste Bank program was also introduced as an effort to transform waste into an economically valuable asset. A comparative study was conducted with the Griya Sapu Lidi Waste Bank in Yogyakarta, a high-achieving waste management unit. “They (the Griya Sapu Lidi Waste Bank) have many innovations that are not necessarily implemented in other waste banks,” he said. One key innovation contributing to the success of the Griya Sapu Lidi Waste Bank, which was transferred to Pemaluan Village, is its flexible operating hours. Amidst the busy schedules of different households, the waste bank’s flexible operating hours provide an incentive for residents to collect their waste.
The Bala Gadjah Mada team maintains coordination with various community elements to ensure the sustainability of these programs. They constantly inquire about obstacles or the latest updates regarding the programs. Furthermore, the Bala Gadjah Mada Team continues to encourage local governments to promote waste management activities.
Kholifa hopes that the Bala Gadjah Mada Team’s efforts can continue in the coming year. He stated that there is a desire to further improve the waste management capacity of Pemaluan Village. He also hopes to expand collaboration with other regions affected by the surge in waste volume from the new capital city.
The Bala Gadjah Mada Team’s efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting education for sustainability, addressing climate change, and restoring ecological balance through effective waste management practices. By empowering communities and encouraging innovative solutions, they aim to create a sustainable future for the residents of North Penajam Paser.