Students at Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) in Central Java are spearheading a programme that transforms surplus food into products with economic, social, and environmental value, aiming to strengthen community resilience and reduce hunger.
The initiative, featured in the Business and Accounting Education Journal, uses a circular economy approach in which students take on the roles of innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Their efforts focus on diverting food waste from landfills and repurposing it into compost, black soldier fly feed, and other value-added products.
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“Collaboration among key stakeholders, from academics to zero waste communities and student conservation cadres, is critical for transforming food waste into economic and environmental value. Innovation, balance, and empowerment are at the heart of this mission,” said Aditya Nanda Yulianto, lead author of the study.
The model applies the ABCGM collaboration framework, which brings together Academics, Business, Community, Government, and Media. According to the research, partnerships between UNNES academics, zero waste communities, and student conservation groups have been the primary drivers of success, ensuring the initiative is both knowledge-driven and rooted in community action.
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The programme also incorporates the “3P” principles of Natural Balance, Production, and Profit, combined with community empowerment. The approach supports Indonesia’s target of cutting waste by 70% by 2025 and is being promoted as a replicable model for other universities and cities in Southeast Asia.
“This is more than waste management — it is about rethinking our relationship with food, empowering communities, and ensuring that no one is left hungry,” Aditya said.
With over a decade of conservation-focused education since 2010, UNNES has positioned itself as a regional example for sustainable campus management and food waste solutions, drawing interest from institutions beyond Indonesia.
Source: https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/baej/article/view/11296
