Jakarta, March 16, 2025 – The Europe Today: Indonesia’s Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq has emphasized the crucial role of the education sector in promoting effective waste management and has called upon schools and universities to strengthen efforts to address waste issues within their communities.
Speaking at the National Waste Awareness Action 2025 event in South Kalimantan, which was attended online on Saturday, Nurofiq stressed that changing perspectives on waste management requires cultural and behavioral transformations, which can be fostered through education.
The minister highlighted that integrating waste management learning materials into extracurricular activities and academic programs can significantly enhance waste awareness among students and faculty members. He pointed out that reducing waste at the source through educational initiatives is vital to minimizing the volume of waste processed at landfills.
“University students, lecturers, teachers, and staff, along with stakeholders in the education sector, can reduce their waste, recycle it effectively, and manage it as close to the source as possible,” Nurofiq stated.
The minister also called for active participation from all educational institutions in environmental actions to support comprehensive waste management. He encouraged students to develop innovative waste management technologies and create solutions that do not contribute to new forms of pollution.
According to data from the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN) of the Ministry of Environment, Indonesia generated 32.8 million tons of waste in 2024, as reported by 303 districts and cities. Food waste made up the largest portion, accounting for 39.43 percent of the total.
