Esaunggul.ac.id, Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University presents a circular economy-based community service innovation through the transformation of household waste management in the Marunda Flats, North Jakarta, which involves more than dozens of Posyandu Balita cadres as agents of environmental change and produces an integrated waste management system based on education, simple technology, and economic empowerment of residents.

This Community Service Program (PkM) will be implemented in two stages on October 11 and 19, 2025, with the main focus on changing waste management behavior from a direct disposal system to a community-based sorting, utilization, and recycling system.

The high volume of household waste in the densely populated Marunda Flats (Rusun Marunda) is a major challenge, posing a risk to environmental pollution and residents' health. In response, Esa Unggul University, powered by Arizona State University, is implementing an educational and hands-on intervention to create sustainable change at the household level.

In the first phase, a team of lecturers and students provided interactive education on waste types, sorting techniques, and the implementation of the 3R concept (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Cadres of the Posyandu Balita (Indonesian Children's Health Post) were trained to become driving forces for behavioral change in the community regarding daily waste management. Participants were also introduced to a color-based sorting system for trash bins, namely green for organic and yellow and blue for inorganic, as an initial step in standardizing waste management in the apartment complex. In addition to education, participants also participated in direct practice in utilizing inorganic waste such as plastic bottles and packaging waste into useful and economically valuable craft products, which was then strengthened through a waste processing innovation competition among cadres.

In the second phase, the program was strengthened by implementing an integrated urban farming system, an ecosystem-based organic waste management system. Esa Unggul University provided separate trash bins to support consistent sorting at the household level. The sorted organic waste is then processed into maggot feed, which then becomes part of the catfish farming production chain. This system is integrated with a hydroponic installation, where water from the fish ponds is used to fertilize the plants.

This cycle creates a productive ecosystem that not only reduces the volume of waste, but also generates economic value through fish and hydroponic plant harvests that can be utilized and marketed by residents.

This program strategically engages Posyandu (Indonesian Health Post) cadres as key actors in social change at the community level. While Posyandus have traditionally focused on basic health services, this program expands their role to include community-based environmental education, directly addressing issues of nutrition, sanitation, and residents' quality of life.

The PkM implementation team consists of cross-disciplinary lecturers from Esa Unggul University, namely from the Public Health, Dietetics, Nutrition Science, English Language Education, and Management Study Programs, who demonstrate a multidisciplinary approach in solving urban environmental problems.

The Rector of Universitas Esa Unggul, Dr. Ir. Arief Kusuma Among Praja, ST, MBA, IPU, ASEAN Eng., expressed his full support for this collaboration as part of the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education.

"Community service must result in systemic change, not just short-term education. The community-based circular economy model, like the one at the Marunda Flats, is an example of how universities can be catalysts for social and environmental transformation," said the Chancellor.

Through this program, Universitas Esa Unggul Powered by Arizona State University strengthens its position as a higher education institution that focuses not only on academics, but also on social innovation based on sustainability and real impact in society.

Going forward, the university is committed to expanding the implementation of this community-based environmental management model to other urban areas as part of its contribution to sustainable development and improving the quality of life of the Indonesian people.

Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University Is a World Class University

Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University has 10 faculties, namely the Faculty of Economics and Business, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Design & Creative Industries, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Computer Science, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Psychology, and Faculty of Teacher Training & Education. Esa Unggul offers Regular Class, Employee Class, and Distance Learning programs.

Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University is accredited with distinction based on BAN PT Decree: 2041/SK/BAN-PT/Ak/PT/XI/2024. Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University also achieved the following rankings:

  • 3 Best Private Universities in Jakarta
  • 15 Best Private Universities in Indonesia
  • 46 Best Public and Private Universities Nationwide (Based on UniRank / 4ICU 2025 Rankings)
  • Ranked 2nd in DKI Jakarta, 29th nationally, and 203rd internationally (UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2025)

Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University is the only campus in Indonesia that has received support and cooperation from Arizona State University (ASU) in realizing its vision to become a world-class university and provide quality education for students throughout Indonesia. With the spirit of “excellence and globalism,” Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University continues to move forward in producing graduates who are professional, have integrity, and are ready to respond to the challenges of the world today and in the future.

For further information, please visit esaunggul.ac.id – aruna9news.com