EduAsiaNews, Semarang – Waste management, as well as the reuse of rainwater and domestic wastewater, remains a significant challenge for many educational institutions. Addressing this issue, the Vocational School of Diponegoro University (UNDIP) officially launched the SV Zero Discharge Program, an integrated water, energy, and waste management system that embraces sustainability principles under the tagline “Nothing Wasted, Everything Managed.”
The program was developed as part of the Vocational School’s transformation into a World-Class Vocational School through the strengthening of its Sustainability and Social Impact ecosystem. SV Zero Discharge is designed to reduce dependence on groundwater, minimize waste discharged from the campus area, and promote the implementation of a circular economy by transforming waste into valuable resources.
The Dean of the UNDIP Vocational School, Prof. Dr. Ir. Budiyono, M.Si., explained that sustainability is one of the global identities the institution aims to instill in its graduates.
“In the future, our graduates will need not only technical competencies but also a strong commitment to sustainable development and tangible evidence of their ability to create positive impacts for society. Therefore, sustainability and social impact have become integral components of the global ecosystem development at the Vocational School,” he stated.
Through this program, rainwater is harvested and reused for campus domestic needs or further treated to meet laboratory-grade water standards. Domestic wastewater from bathrooms and toilets is also processed through a wastewater treatment system and reused for landscape irrigation and toilet flushing.
In the waste management sector, organic waste from campus cafeterias is converted into biogas used as cooking fuel, while the residual by-products are utilized as fertilizer. Plastic waste and used bottles are also repurposed to support educational and research activities, including the development of products made from recycled materials.
The Head of the SV Zero Discharge Program, Ir. Hanggoro Iskandar Putra Wijaya, M.T., explained that the entire management system is monitored through an Internet of Things (IoT)-based dashboard, enabling real-time monitoring of waste volumes, recycling rates, and facility conditions.
“Waste is no longer regarded as mere refuse; instead, its value can be harnessed and utilized,” he remarked.
According to Hanggoro, this approach is implemented through five sustainability pillars: rainwater management, reclaimed water utilization, integrated waste and wastewater management, runoff reduction (zero runoff), and the circular economy.
In addition to launching the program, the UNDIP Vocational School also held the SV Zero Discharge Commitment Declaration, attended by university leaders, faculty members, administrative staff, students, and student organizations, including the Student Executive Board (BEM) and the Student Senate of the Vocational School.
Through the declaration, the academic community committed to managing water resources responsibly, reducing energy waste, implementing sustainable waste management practices, and fostering innovation, education, research, and applied solutions that benefit society, industry, and the environment.
UNDIP Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., expressed his appreciation for the initiative, noting that it demonstrates a tangible implementation of sustainability within the university environment. According to him, higher education institutions must serve as role models in advancing sustainability through concrete actions rather than treating it merely as a concept.
“It is time for universities to demonstrate real sustainability practices. The Vocational School has set an excellent example that can be replicated across other faculties and schools within UNDIP,” he stated.
Prof. Suharnomo further expressed hope that the SV Zero Discharge initiative would become a broader model for resource management throughout UNDIP, while also contributing to efforts to reduce groundwater consumption and promote more responsible waste management.
The program is also expected to serve as a living laboratory for sustainability, where members of the academic community can learn, conduct research, and develop innovations that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
(Public Communication Office/UNDIP/Hng)
