UNAND KKN Students Support SDG 11 and SDG 12 through Organic Waste Processing into Compost

Pesisir Selatan, August 14, 2022 — Universitas Andalas (UNAND) students participating in the Community Service Program, known as KKN, carried out public education and practical action on organic waste processing in Nagari Kambang Barat, Pesisir Selatan. The activity was aimed at helping address the habit of improper waste disposal while introducing compost production as a useful solution for the local community.

The activity was written by Rima Dwisani, a Chemistry student from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Andalas. In 2022, UNAND deployed more than 5,000 KKN students, including 23 students assigned to Nagari Kambang Barat with academic backgrounds from various faculties.

During a visit by UNAND KKN students on August 1, 2022, Jony Marjohan, Head of Kampung Talang in Nagari Kambang Barat, stated that changing community habits is one of the most difficult challenges. The issue became clear as students observed that waste remained a major problem in the area. Some residents usually disposed of waste behind their homes, in bushes, or near rivers, while others buried or burned accumulated waste.

Nagari Kambang Barat has a population of 10,900 people and consists of five kampung, namely Tebing Tinggi, Pasar Kambang, Pasar Gompong, Rangeh, and Talang. According to the Nagari Secretary, Drs. Yusman, most residents work as fishermen, farmers, livestock breeders, and plantation workers. In Kampung Talang, many residents are farmers, followed by Rangeh and Tebing Tinggi, which are located on relatively higher land.

The unmanaged waste problem has caused several environmental concerns, including unpleasant odors, soil pollution, air pollution, and river contamination. Waste thrown into rivers can also contribute to flooding, while waste piles may become breeding grounds for pathogenic microorganisms that can harm humans and animals. Decomposing waste produces unpleasant gases and leachate that may pollute wells, rivers, lakes, and groundwater.

Responding to these conditions, UNAND KKN students initiated an activity to turn waste into something useful and environmentally beneficial. The students encouraged waste separation into organic and inorganic categories. Inorganic waste can be recycled, while organic waste can be processed into compost, which is particularly useful for farmers, one of the largest occupational groups in Nagari Kambang Barat.

Compost was introduced as a product of organic matter decomposition that can help improve soil fertility and provide nutrients for plants. Jony Marjohan noted that compost production is very helpful for farmers, especially as the price of NPK fertilizer had reached nearly one million rupiah per unit and had doubled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The compost-making activity was carried out by collecting organic waste from several households in Kampung Talang, Rangeh, and Tebing Tinggi. The students also collected locally available natural materials such as dry leaves, straw, and cow manure. These materials were then chopped into smaller pieces to support a better fermentation process and improve compost quality.

The organic materials were mixed with dried cow manure, which helps introduce microorganisms for decomposition. The process was accelerated by adding M4, which also provides nutrients for microorganisms. After mixing, the compost material was tightly covered to prevent air from disturbing the composting or fermentation process. The fermentation process takes around 15 to 20 days, and the material should be stirred every three days to support complete fermentation.

Kelpin, a UNAND KKN student from the Department of Agricultural Technology, explained that mature compost can be identified by its dark brown to blackish color, a temperature close to the initial composting temperature and not exceeding 50°C, an earthy smell rather than a rotten odor, and a volume reduction of around 20 to 40 percent depending on the maturity level. If the volume reduction is still small, the composting process is not yet complete.

This community activity supports SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities by encouraging cleaner settlements, reducing improper waste disposal, and helping prevent environmental problems such as polluted drainage, dirty surroundings, and flood risks. Through education and direct action, UNAND KKN students helped build community awareness of the importance of managing household waste properly.

The activity also contributes to SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production by transforming organic waste into compost that can be reused for agriculture. This approach promotes waste reduction, resource recovery, and more responsible household and farming practices in Nagari Kambang Barat.

Through this KKN program, UNAND students demonstrated how community-based education can turn a local environmental problem into a practical opportunity. By converting organic waste into compost, the initiative not only helps reduce pollution but also supports farmers with an alternative source of soil nutrients.