FMIPA UNY conducted an institutional research on waste management in elementary and secondary schools in Melawi Regency

Yogyakarta, August 4, 2025 - The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) of Yogyakarta State University (UNY) is carrying out institutional research entitled "Waste Management in Schools: Study of the Establishment of Environmental Concern Attitudes in Elementary School Students in Melawi Regency."

This study involved three FMIPA UNY lecturers namely Prof. Dr. Tien Aminatun, Ph.D., Isti Yunita ,, Ph.D, and Riza Ariyani Nur Khasanah ,. who collaborated in designing and implementing field studies with research subjects of elementary school students (SD) and junior high schools (SMP), both public and private, in the Melawi Regency. The focus of research is directed at how the waste management program in schools can contribute to the formation of environmental care attitudes among students from an early age.

According to the research team, the issue of waste management in schools is increasingly important given the increasing volume of household and school waste in the area. Through this research, the team hopes to find the best patterns in applicative environmental education, so that students not only understand theory, but also apply environmentally friendly behavior in their daily lives.
This research subject is elementary school and junior high school both private and public.

Figure 1. Visit SMP Negeri 1 Nanga Pinoh, Kab Melawi, West Kalimantan

Figure 2. Conditions when learning and resting activities of SMP Negeri 1 Nanga Pinoh, Kab Melawi, West Kalimantan

Figure 3. Visit SD Negeri 6 Nanga Pinoh, Kab Melawi, West Kalimantan

Figure 4. Visit Setia Budi Private Middle School, Melawi Regency, West Kalimantan

Figure 5. Conditions when learning and resting activities of Setia Budi Private Middle School, Melawi Regency, West Kalimantan

Figure 6. Visit Private SD Yos Sudarso, Kab Melawi, West Kalimantan

"Children are an effective agent of change. If from an early age they have been accustomed to sorting waste, reducing the use of disposable plastic, and understanding the importance of environmental cleanliness, then in the future they will become a generation that is more concerned with sustainability," said Prof. Dr. Tien Aminatun.

This study is also part of FMIPA UNY's commitment in supporting the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) program and contribution to the achievement of Sustainable Development Objectives (SDGs), especially SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 11 (Sustainable City and Settlements), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Responsible Production).

The results of the study are expected to provide policy recommendations to schools in Melawi Regency, as well as a model of implementing environmental education that can be replicated in other regions in Indonesia.