UNU Jogja Promotes Pesantren Economic Independence Through Waste Shredding Technology

Yogyakarta, Indonesia — Lecturers and students from Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama (UNU) Jogja carried out a Community Service Program (PKM) themed “Enhancing Pesantren Economic Independence and Sustainable Environment through Circular Economy Practices by Optimizing Waste Management with Shredding Technology” at Assalafiyah Islamic Boarding School in Mlangi, Sleman.

Funded by a grant from the Directorate of Research, Technology, and Community Service (DRTPM) for the 2025 fiscal year, the program involved a cross-disciplinary team consisting of Gigih Aulia Hilmiawan and Melvin Rahma Sayuga Subroto from the Accounting Department, along with Zulkhairi from the Electrical Engineering Department. Several students also joined the team to assist participants during the material sessions and field practice.

Program lead Gigih Aulia Hilmiawan explained that the initiative aims to improve waste management efficiency in pesantren environments through the use of waste-shredding machines. This approach supports circular economy practices, reduces the amount of waste disposed, and creates potential economic value from processed waste materials.

“We hope this program will help create a cleaner environment and foster a sustainable waste-management culture within the pesantren,” he said.

The PKM activities included socialization, introduction to circular economy concepts, and hands-on practice using the waste-shredding machine, attended by students and pesantren administrators. Participants learned about waste sorting and processing, including how shredded materials can be used for composting or other productive purposes. [Latifah]