Universitas Andalas Environmental Study Center Holds Workshop on Urban Waste Circularity in Support of SDG 11 and SDG 12

The Environmental Study Center of Universitas Andalas held a workshop titled “Enhancing Circularity and Urban Waste Management” in Padang on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, as part of efforts to promote more sustainable waste management practices. The initiative is closely related to SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production, as it focused on strengthening urban waste governance, reducing landfill pressure, and encouraging circular economy approaches.

The workshop took place at Hotel Grand Zuri and was designed as a forum for sharing experiences and knowledge on local initiatives as well as practical guidance for addressing waste management challenges in a sustainable manner. The event featured keynote speakers Dr. Novrizal Tahar from the Directorate of Waste Management of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Indonesia and Mr. Sandhi Eko Bramono Poedjastanto, ST, M.Eng from the Directorate of Sanitation of the Ministry of Public Works, followed by a panel discussion.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Didi Ariadi, M.Si, Assistant II of the Regional Secretariat of Padang City, reaffirmed the Padang City Government’s commitment to the zero waste 2050 program, which aligns with national policy directions. He explained that the city has implemented various strategies, including waste separation at the source, which has helped reduce the volume of waste sent to the final disposal site by up to 30 percent. He also noted that Padang generates around 600 tons of waste per day, much of which has been reduced through composting, institutional strengthening, and collaboration with stakeholders through the establishment of Waste Management Institutions at the subdistrict level.

Didi added that the city has also optimized the Padang Bagoro program and the Padang Memilah campaign as part of efforts to support the circular economy. He expressed hope that the workshop would produce strategic recommendations capable of strengthening synergy among the central government, local government, and universities in building sustainable waste management systems. In the same forum, Deputy Director for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation Muhammad Hafiz Hannibal MRI, MSc said that Padang has become one of the examples of urban waste management and circular economy implementation, particularly through integrated waste handling linked to carbonization, recycling industries, and landfill burden reduction strategies.

Universitas Andalas Rector Efa Yonnedi, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of innovative solutions in addressing urban waste challenges. He stated that population growth and changing consumption patterns have increased the volume of waste, making it a serious threat to public health, the environment, and local economies. He underlined the need for an integrated approach focused on waste reduction, recycling, composting, and the adoption of new technologies, noting that such an approach could ease pressure on landfills, reduce environmental impacts, and improve both public health and cost efficiency.

He further stressed that coordinated cooperation among government, business, and society is essential to building a waste management system capable of meeting present and future challenges. Through this workshop, Universitas Andalas reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for sustainable environmental management. The university expects that innovative solutions and cross-sector collaboration emerging from the forum will become strategic steps in addressing urban waste management challenges at both the local and national levels.