June 24, 2024 – Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) sent a group of students to Indonesia to collaborate with Universitas Airlangga in the “Sustainable Development City Summer School” program. As part of their studies on the implementation of SDG points, they were invited to visit Jambangan Village, a well-known eco-friendly village (24/06). Year after year, the local residents work hard to maintain a clean, comfortable, and prosperous environment, all while fostering inclusive cooperation among the villagers.
The village has earned numerous accolades, particularly for its environmental consciousness. The students were introduced to several innovations created by the villagers, such as the aerobic composters. An aerobic composter is a large container that holds organic compost made from waste with the help of air. This innovation, named the “Smart Komposter,” reflects the implementation of SDG point 12, “Responsible Consumption and Production.” All organic waste, including household waste, food scraps, and more, is processed properly to avoid causing environmental problems. The village also has a Waste Recycling Center (Pusat Daur Ulang Sampah – PDUS), which can process between 5 to 7 tons of waste daily.
In addition to the aerobic composters, the local residents also developed biopore holes. These holes improve the absorption of rainwater into the soil, reduce the risk of flooding, enhance water quality, and improve soil fertility. The holes are filled with organic waste that has been carefully sorted from the Jambangan Waste Bank. “I was quite surprised at how much the people here care about their environment. They take waste management seriously, and that’s something that should inspire many others,” commented Declan, an LJMU student.
Apart from learning about the products and waste management facilities, the students were also invited to try a traditional game called Engrang. Both adults and children were seen enthusiastically playing and teaching the students how to play. This activity reflected that the residents of Jambangan Village not only prioritize SDG points to create a healthy and green environment, but also promote harmony and synergy within the community. This closely ties to SDG point 3, “Good Health and Well-being.”
