Depok-Universitas Indonesia (UI) through the Directorate of Community Service and Empowerment (DPPM) has once again demonstrated its commitment to instilling environmental awareness, this time targeting students at SDN Sawangan 05, Depok. Through the community service program from the Tourism Business Management study program, UI Vocational Education Program, students are introduced to the importance of maintaining cleanliness and environmental sustainability from an early age.
In the activity that took place on August 14, 2024, students of SDN Sawangan 05 gained a deep understanding of waste management and the importance of implementing the 3R principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) in everyday life. This program aims to form a habit of caring for the environment from an early age and instill a sense of love and care for the environment in children so that they get used to living cleanly and maintaining environmental cleanliness from an early age. This elementary school was chosen as a place for community service because SDN Sawangan 05 participated in the selection to become an Adiwiyata school at the Depok level.
(Photo: Educational poster about waste installed at SDN Sawangan 05 Depok)
Vice Director for Education, Research, and Student Affairs, Deni Danial Kesa, Ph.D, emphasized that this activity is very relevant to the increasingly complex environmental challenges. “With increasingly complex environmental issues, educating children about the importance of protecting the environment is the right step. This activity helps build environmentally friendly habits and raises awareness of the impact of their actions on the environment, which is an important investment for the future. UI Vocational continues to support various other positive activities that have a direct impact on society,” said Deni.
In the community service activity, students received education on the introduction of various types of waste, from organic, inorganic, to B3, as well as the decomposition process. In addition, they were invited to play “Pilah Sampah” which teaches how to sort waste according to its category, making this activity not only educational but also fun. Visual materials and teaching aids were also used to facilitate student understanding.
The UI community service team consisting of Anisatul Auliya, S.ST.Par., M.Par., Mahadewi, S.Sos., M.M., Rini Kusumastuti, AMd.Par., with the head of the community service team Diani Mustika Prianti, M.M., and a number of students from the Tourism Business Management study program, also encouraged the implementation of environmentally friendly waste management in everyday life. According to Diani, through the activities that were packaged creatively and interactively, the community service team hopes that students can start reducing the use of plastic and styrofoam in everyday life, and switch to more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as the use of reusable food and drink containers.
(Photo: Symbolic provision of organic and inorganic waste bins to SDN Sawangan 05 Depok)
As part of this program, the community service team also provided a place for organic and inorganic waste, and put up educational posters in the school area containing information about the decomposition period of various types of waste. The community service team also distributed reusable food and drink containers as a form of real support for the movement to reduce plastic waste.
The students’ enthusiasm for this activity was very high. Aisyah Bilqis, one of the students of SDN Sawangan 05, expressed her joy in participating in this event. “I am very happy with this event. The explanation from the UI service team was easy to understand and the waste sorting game was very fun. Now, I know that paper waste should be thrown in the inorganic waste bin and I also want to try to implement it at home,” she said.
With an interactive and fun approach, UI hopes that the younger generation can grow into individuals who are aware of the importance of protecting the environment, for a better future.
