To foster environmental awareness among children, Permata UNDIP Early Childhood Education (PAUD Permata) held a field trip to the Diponegoro University Integrated Waste Management Facility (TPST). The Undip Integrated Waste Management Facility (TPST) is managed by the UPT K3L office, which has the task of managing the environment, including waste management. The Permata PAUD participated in the field trip, comprising 50 children from 25 preschools and 25 kindergartens. The field trip was guided by Permata PAUD teachers and TPST officers.
The event opened with remarks from the head of the UPT K3L (Work Unit for Health and Safety) and the head of Permata PAUD. The children watched an educational video on waste management. Many of the children began asking questions like, “Where does the waste go and what is done with it?”
To satisfy the children’s enthusiasm and curiosity, they were taken on a tour of the Diponegoro University Landfill (TPST). They began in the organic waste storage area, which consists of leaves, and then moved on to the composting area. After completing the composting process, the children moved to the inorganic waste area, where plastic, bottles, cardboard, and other waste are sorted and then distributed to third parties or scrap collectors.
The final, most captivating experience for the children was exploring the gardens and livestock pens at the UNDIP Wastewater Treatment Plant (TPST UNDIP). The children were thrilled to pick oranges straight from the trees and feed the goats and geese on the site.
After a tiring day of touring, the children returned to the UPT K3L office for lunch with their own packed lunches. They learned about the principle of reuse by reusing their lunch containers and water bottles. Furthermore, those who generate waste learned to dispose of their waste according to the color of their trash cans.
Because, if we (the waste producers) don’t take responsibility for our own waste, who will? If we don’t start managing waste now, when will we?