Commitment to Measurable and Responsible Waste Management

Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (UNISSULA) is committed to managing waste in a measurable, responsible, and sustainable manner.

The university recognises that effective waste management requires not only waste collection and disposal, but also systematic measurement of how much waste is generated, how much is sent to final disposal facilities, and how much is recovered through recycling.

Through this approach, UNISSULA seeks to strengthen waste accountability, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, and increase recycling activities across the university.

Institutional Waste Measurement Policy

UNISSULA formalised this commitment through Circular Letter No. 8410/J/SA/IX/2025, dated 10 September 2025.

The circular applies to faculties, RSIGM, bureaux, institutions, technical units, administrative units, and other relevant parts of the university.

The policy establishes a university-wide approach to waste segregation, recording, measurement, reduction, and recycling.

Measuring Waste Generation

Every university unit is required to carry out:

• Waste segregation;
• Waste recording; and
• Measurement of waste generated.

This requirement provides a foundation for understanding the university’s waste streams and supporting evidence-based waste management decisions.

Measuring Waste Sent to Final Disposal

UNISSULA requires the amount of waste sent to the final processing or disposal facility (TPA) to be measured, recorded, and periodically reported.

This allows the university to monitor the volume or quantity of waste that leaves the campus for final disposal.

The measurement of waste sent to TPA provides an important baseline for evaluating waste reduction efforts.

Measuring Recycled Waste

In addition to final disposal, the university also requires the amount of waste that is recycled to be measured, recorded, and periodically reported.

By separating recycling data from final-disposal data, UNISSULA can monitor how much waste is diverted from landfill through recycling activities.

Waste Segregation as the Basis for Measurement

Waste segregation is an important first step in reliable waste measurement.

By separating different waste streams, university units are better able to identify:

• Recyclable waste;
• Residual waste;
• Organic waste;
• Other recoverable materials; and
• Waste requiring final disposal.

This supports more accurate recording and improves opportunities for recycling.

Recording and Data Collection

Waste management data is collected through the relevant university units.

The recording process supports a clearer understanding of:

• Waste generated;
• Waste sent to TPA;
• Waste recycled; and
• Changes in waste-management performance over time.

Regular data collection also strengthens institutional accountability.

Periodic Reporting

The university requires waste data to be reported periodically.

Periodic reporting ensures that waste management is treated as an ongoing institutional responsibility rather than as a one-time activity.

The information can be used to identify trends, evaluate progress, and determine where further improvements are needed.

Centralised Data Recapitulation

The university’s environmental management unit is responsible for compiling and evaluating waste-management data.

The circular requires the relevant environmental unit to undertake recapitulation and evaluation of waste data.

This creates a central institutional mechanism for monitoring waste performance across multiple units.

Evaluation of Waste Management Performance

Waste measurement provides UNISSULA with information that can be used to evaluate waste-management practices.

The data supports assessment of whether:

• Waste generation is increasing or decreasing;
• More waste is being recycled;
• Less waste is being sent to final disposal;
• Waste segregation is functioning effectively; and
• Additional waste-reduction measures are needed.

This enables waste management to become increasingly data-driven.

Reducing Waste Sent to Landfill

One of the objectives of the university’s waste-management approach is to reduce the amount of waste sent to TPA.

The circular explicitly establishes waste-data evaluation as a basis for reducing waste disposed of at final processing facilities.

Measurement is therefore directly connected to waste-reduction action.

Increasing Recycling Activities

UNISSULA also uses waste-management data as a basis for strengthening recycling activities.

By tracking the amount of waste recycled, the university can evaluate the effectiveness of recycling programmes and identify opportunities to increase material recovery.

This supports a transition from simple waste disposal toward more circular use of resources.

Waste Diversion

The university’s measurement framework supports waste diversion by distinguishing between waste that is:

• Sent to final disposal; and
• Recycled or recovered.

This distinction is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of waste-reduction and recycling efforts.

Supporting Circular Resource Use

Recycling allows materials that would otherwise become waste to return to productive use.

Through waste segregation, measurement, and recycling, UNISSULA supports more circular resource flows within its operations.

This approach helps reduce dependence on final disposal and promotes more efficient use of materials.

Institutional Accountability

A measurable waste-management system strengthens institutional accountability.

Each unit has responsibility for recording and measuring the waste it generates, while the environmental management function consolidates and evaluates the information.

This creates a structured process:

Waste generation → Segregation → Measurement → Recording → Reporting → Evaluation → Reduction and recycling

Data-Based Waste Management

UNISSULA’s approach emphasises the importance of data in environmental management.

Waste data provides a basis for:

• Operational planning;
• Monitoring;
• Evaluation;
• Waste-reduction programmes;
• Recycling initiatives; and
• Continuous improvement.

This helps ensure that waste-management decisions are supported by measurable information.

Responsibilities of University Units

Every university unit contributes to the implementation of the waste-management system.

Responsibilities include:

• Separating waste appropriately;
• Maintaining records;
• Measuring waste generated;
• Reporting relevant waste data; and
• Supporting recycling and waste-reduction programmes.

Institution-wide participation is important for producing reliable waste data.

Continuous Improvement

The university uses waste-management information to support continuous improvement.

Periodic evaluation enables UNISSULA to identify areas where waste can be reduced, materials can be recovered, and recycling practices can be expanded.

This creates a cycle of:

Measurement → Evaluation → Improvement

Environmental Benefits

Reducing waste sent to landfill and increasing recycling can provide several environmental benefits, including:

• Reduced pressure on final disposal facilities;
• Improved resource efficiency;
• Greater material recovery;
• Reduced unnecessary disposal;
• Improved campus environmental management; and
• Stronger awareness of responsible consumption.

Responsible Consumption and Production

The measurement of landfill and recycling waste forms part of UNISSULA’s broader commitment to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Responsible production and consumption require institutions to understand their waste streams and actively reduce unnecessary disposal.

Through systematic measurement, recording, reporting, and evaluation, UNISSULA strengthens the sustainability of its waste-management practices.

Evidence of Implementation

UNISSULA’s waste measurement and recycling framework is demonstrated through:

1. Circular Letter No. 8410/J/SA/IX/2025.
2. Institution-wide application of waste-management requirements.
3. Mandatory waste segregation.
4. Recording of waste generation.
5. Measurement of waste generated by university units.
6. Measurement of waste sent to TPA.
7. Measurement of waste that is recycled.
8. Periodic recording and reporting of landfill and recycling data.
9. Centralised recapitulation of waste-management data.
10. Evaluation of waste performance.
11. Use of data as a basis for reducing waste sent to final disposal.
12. Use of data to support increased recycling activities.