Jombang Santri Praised by Zulkifli Hasan for Zero Waste Processing
Waste management is no longer solely a government concern but has become a tangible practice within Islamic boarding school environments. Students at SMK Kreatif Chasbullah, part of the Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic boarding school in Jombang, have processed waste into useful products, ranging from paving blocks to biogas.
The practice received appreciation from Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan during a dialogue with the students as part of the 2026 Santri Literacy Congress at the SMK Kreatif Chasbullah Expo Bazaar on Friday (28/8). According to Zulkifli Hasan, what the students have done demonstrates that environmental literacy is not enough to be merely understood but must be realised in concrete action.
“This is a good example. The santri not only know how to sort waste but have already been able to process it into something useful. This is what we must continue to encourage and replicate elsewhere,” said Zulhas in a written statement on 29 August 2026.
During the dialogue, the Coordinating Minister for Food tested the students’ knowledge of waste types, the utilisation of inorganic waste, and residue management. A number of students were able to answer the questions well.
Interestingly, the students’ knowledge has been applied through waste processing that leaves almost zero residue.
“We have processed waste and turned it into biogas and paving blocks, Mr Coordinating Minister, so nothing is wasted — zero waste,” said one student, Andika M. Nuur.
Zulhas said that awareness and waste management skills from an early age are an important part of building a new culture of environmental management.
On the occasion, the Coordinating Minister for Food also introduced the importance of processing waste into energy, including through Waste-to-Energy Processing (PSEL). According to him, various waste management approaches need to be developed according to the characteristics and conditions of each region.
The 2026 Santri Literacy Congress also featured the presentation of the Environmentally Conscious Pesantren Award. The waste management practices carried out by the students of SMK Kreatif Chasbullah serve as an example that Islamic boarding schools are not only centres of religious education but can also be spaces for the growth of innovation and environmental awareness that provide real benefits to society.