Indonesia's Small Islands Grapple with Waste, Student-Led Initiatives Emerge

In Indonesia's small island communities, waste management has become an extremely complex issue, with waste flowing in not only from land but also from the sea. Plastic waste, in particular, is indispensable for daily life due to its convenience and low cost, but after use, it transforms into a problematic entity that grows uncontrollably. This is not just a matter of urban cleanliness but a global challenge that spreads to rivers, coasts, and the sea. In response to this situation, on Lae-lae Island near Makassar, South Sulawesi, students from the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Hasanuddin University, have begun initiatives to deepen community engagement. As part of the "Learning to Overcome Waste Together with Students (Basis)" program, held from August 5th to 7th, beach clean-up activities were conducted for middle school students at SMPN 41 Satu Atap Makassar, along with awareness campaigns on recycling methods to add economic value to plastic waste. Nabila Ali, the program coordinator, stated, "We believe that big changes always start with small steps. Through BASIS, we want to instill in children the awareness that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility." She encouraged students to understand the negative impacts of plastic waste and how to reduce it. For residents of small island communities, the waste problem is a serious issue that directly affects their lives. Various plastic products, such as beverage bottles, shopping bags, food packaging, and disposable cups, are consumed daily. If this waste is left untreated, it not only spoils the scenery but can also have severe impacts on the marine ecosystem. This student-led initiative aims to instill the importance of the issue within the community and promote a change in awareness towards sustainable waste management. Source: Mongabay Indonesia