Environment Minister Encourages ITS Collaboration to Apply Waste Innovation for Free Nutritious Meals Programme

Environment Minister (LH) Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat has encouraged collaboration with the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) to apply waste processing innovations in support of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme across various regions. “I see the technology presented by ITS as a complete solution package for waste processing. The price is also very reasonable, so it has great potential for collaboration with the MBG programme,” he said at the ITS Rectorate building in Surabaya on Monday. According to Jumhur, the technologies developed by ITS can address the waste management challenges faced by Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG), ranging from food waste to liquid waste containing oil and detergents. Beyond kitchen waste processing, the Minister also praised ITS’s autonomous vehicle, which he assessed has the potential to be used to reach remote areas or high-risk zones that are difficult for humans to access. The processed results can subsequently be turned into pellets as an alternative energy source to replace coal. “Maggots can not only be used as animal feed, but certain types, such as superworms, can even break down plastics that are usually difficult to degrade. This is very interesting as an effort towards zero waste, so that economic activity can continue while maintaining ecosystem sustainability,” he said. Jumhur also noted that the SiklusIn digital application developed by ITS could strengthen the implementation of a circular economy, as it is capable of mapping the entire waste management chain, from source and processing to final products, economic value, and processing locations. He stated that this system aligns with the Ministry of Environment’s plan to issue a Ministerial Regulation on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Under this policy, producers of plastic packaging, electronic waste, and other types of waste will be responsible for managing the waste they generate through a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) scheme. ITS Rector Prof Bambang Pramujati said the Minister’s visit provided momentum to accelerate the downstream commercialisation of campus research. The innovations showcased included autonomous vehicles, a maggot-based waste processing system, a rapid composter, a wastewater treatment installation, and the SiklusIn digital application. “Alhamdulillah, today the Minister of Environment had the opportunity to see ITS’s innovations firsthand. Some of the featured technologies we displayed include autonomous vehicles, a maggot-based waste processing system, a rapid composter, a wastewater treatment installation, and the SiklusIn digital application,” he said. He added that the Minister has directed the preparation of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Environment and ITS to accelerate the implementation of this technology package, especially in SPPG kitchens. “Together with the ministry, we will prepare a technology package for immediate implementation, particularly in SPPG kitchens,” he said. ITS also presented its Net Zero Emissions Roadmap 2026–2030, which received support from the Ministry of Environment as part of efforts to achieve sustainable environmental management.