UNDIP, Semarang (February 21) – Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), through its Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Unit, proudly introduces the first Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) in Semarang. This innovation marks a significant step in plastic waste management on the UNDIP campus, reinforcing its commitment to an environmentally conscious campus. The initiative allows all campus members to exchange plastic bottles for monetary rewards.
UNDIP has partnered with two key stakeholders, Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) and PT Plasticpay Teknologi Daurulang, as part of the BSI Sustainable Movement—an ongoing initiative to support environmental sustainability.
The grand launch took place at the UNDIP Library and UNDIP Press, Tembalang Campus, on Friday, February 21, 2025, coinciding with National Waste Awareness Day.
Beyond facilitating easy plastic recycling, the RVM offers incentives for active recyclers, providing IDR 56 per bottle credited to BSI accounts. However, during the grand launch, BSI offered an increased reward of IDR 500 per bottle, redeemable as BSI account credits from February 21 to February 24, 2025.
The collected and sorted plastic bottles are recorded in real-time, tracking reduced carbon footprints, saved landfill space, user reward points, and the total number of bottles collected (in pieces and kilograms). These bottles are then recycled into raw materials such as recycled felts, fur, dacron, and geotextiles, supporting Indonesia’s environmentally friendly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The RVM at UNDIP is strategically placed within the university library, a central hub for student activities.
Through this innovation, all members of the UNDIP academic community are encouraged to actively participate in reducing plastic waste more efficiently and conveniently. The RVM allows students, faculty, and staff to automatically convert their used plastic bottles into points, which can be utilized for various Islamic banking services at BSI.
UNDIP Rector, Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., emphasized in his speech that this initiative is part of UNDIP’s commitment to creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly campus. UNDIP is deeply committed to sustainability efforts, from building construction and energy efficiency to adherence to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring a campus legacy of a clean and healthy environment. This commitment has placed UNDIP at rank 2 nationally and rank 26 globally in the UI GreenMetric rankings.
“In the near future, UNDIP will develop an edu-park from the ICT area to the Sikatak Bridge, featuring rare plants, flower gardens, caves, culinary spots, merchandise outlets, and riverside-view restrooms. We are also working on improving jogging tracks at the stadium, among other projects,” explained Prof. Suharnomo.
“We appreciate the collaboration between BSI and PT Plasticpay in bringing this innovation to campus. With the RVM, we hope more campus members will develop a strong awareness of responsible plastic waste management. We should always focus on positive reinforcement by providing rewards rather than punishment. Hopefully, UNDIP will continue to enhance its reputation not just because of the financial incentives for recycling plastic waste but by fostering a lasting habit of environmental consciousness,” he added.
At the same event, Yan Kurniawan, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of PT Plasticpay Teknologi Daurulang, encouraged the public to actively participate in plastic waste recycling, especially on National Waste Awareness Day, in collaboration with UNDIP and BSI.
“This initiative demonstrates our strong commitment to environmental preservation for future generations. We hope the RVM will make it easier for people to engage in plastic waste recycling as a fun and sustainable waste-sorting culture,” said Yan.
Meanwhile, Ficko Hardowiseto, Regional CEO of Bank Syariah Indonesia VII Semarang, emphasized the importance of reducing plastic use as a tangible contribution to environmental conservation and sustainable green economy growth.
“Hopefully, the RVM initiative will educate the public, especially around the campus, and provide meaningful benefits while contributing positively to the environment and overall quality of life,” said Ficko in closing.
The event concluded with the presentation of souvenirs and a group photo as a token of appreciation for the success of this initiative. A National Waste Awareness Day Sharing Session followed, moderated by Imam Pesuwaryantoro, Corporate Communication of Plasticpay.
With this grand launch of the RVM, UNDIP continues to solidify its position as a green campus that not only excels in education and research but also implements environmentally friendly technologies to create a better future. (DHW, ed. NH)
