Mataram, University of Mataram – Unram community service program students in Gili Indah-Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan initiated the Zero Waste campaign since early 2022. The movement focuses on building awareness to reduce plastic waste (crackles, straws, etc.), organic waste processing (compost, cocopeat, etc.), and beach clean up on several beaches that become tourist destinations.

The Supervisor of the community service program student, namely Ir. Lalu Arifin Aria Bakti, M.Agr. mentioned that he and his students have collaborated with Gili Ecotrust, Gili Care, and Zero Waste in the Zero Waste campaign program.

In addition, Arifin as a lecturer of Unram Soil Science Study Program also invited the Soil Science Student Association to be involved in the Zero Waste program. One of the administrators of it is Zazkia Armelia. She said that they have carried out several Zero Waste campaign activities such as in Unram during Unram Recreation Day (Saturday, July 29, 2023) and in Udayana during Car Free Day (Sunday, July 30, 2023).

“Our campaign uses an onsite system. So, every time someone shops using crackle bags or single-use plastic, we offer them to exchange their crackle bags for tote bags for free,” explained Zazkia

In addition to exchanging crackle bags for tote bags, Zazkia and her friends at the community also exchanged plastic straws for stainless steel straws.

“We also provide education to the community, and indeed their vary responses. Some refused and some were very enthusiastic about the exchanging the single-use plastic bags they brought,” he said.

The 4th semester Unram Soil Science Study Program student explained that the tote bags distributed were provided by Zero Waste program cooperation partners, namely Gili Ecotrust, Gili Care, and Zero Waste.

Arifin, Lecturer of Soil Science Study Program Unram hopes that the Zero Waste campaign program carried out by his students can make Unram a clean, beautiful, environmentally friendly, and pollution-free campus for plastic waste.

“We will continue to campaign, so that, Mataram will clean from pollution, especially plastic waste. Including also building Unram which is environmentally friendly zero plastic bag according to the expectations of the rector, “said Arifin.