Fighting Back The Threat of Plastic Waste

The world is currently grappling with climate change, which threatens human life. One of the factors accelerating climate change is waste. In response to this concern, the Communication Science Student Team from the Faculty of Communication and Informatics at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) organized a Zero Waste Movement Action during Car Free Day (CFD) in Colomadu, Karanganyar, on Sunday (17/12/2023).

The team, named Green Warrior UMS, embraces the tagline #BetterNatureBetterFuture. Claudea Pramesdila, the head of the campaign, mentioned that the tagline was chosen to inspire people to strengthen their environmental awareness and strive for a better environmental future.

Green Warrior UMS, he continued, aims to raise awareness through simple actions, such as highlighting the detrimental effects of accumulated plastic waste in the surrounding environment. This is crucial as per data from the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN), indicating that Surakarta City is a municipality where annual plastic waste dominance is projected to reach nearly 50% by 2023.

“These factors serve as the backdrop for the campaign and action initiated by Green Warrior UMS,” stated the Team Leader on Friday (29/12/2023).

The Car Free Day (CFD) campaign commenced with a socialization session, followed by a collective effort to pick up plastic waste. This was succeeded by an interactive game session where prizes in the form of free tumblers were awarded to the public. Individuals only needed to bring a minimum of 250 grams of plastic waste to participate. The event concluded with the collection and distribution of plastic waste to the Gawok Waste Bank.

“With this action, we believe that it can raise awareness about the severe impact of plastic waste on the environment. Therefore, awareness needs to be cultivated through small actions for a better environmental future,” the Communication Science student added.

Claudea emphasized that students as agents of change must be able to bring real actions that are beneficial.

“As students, we have roles as agents of change, frontliners, and future leaders. As agents of change, we must bring about positive transformations that benefit society. As frontliners, we should be at the forefront of addressing various crises, including environmental crises that are ticking time bombs. Lastly, as future leaders, we must serve as reflections and examples to be emulated and followed,” said Claudea Pramesdila.

Therefore, she added, the #BetterNatureBetterFuture campaign can raise awareness among people, especially in Solo Raya, about the crisis of plastic pollution in the environment.

Claudea hopes that with this campaign, people can initiate at least a reduction and reuse approach. This involves reducing plastic waste and minimizing the use of single-use plastics. For instance, replacing plastic bottles with tumblers, substituting plastic bags with tote bags, and adopting similar practices.

This step serves as a foundational effort before delving into recycling plastics, showcasing our commitment to addressing the crisis of plastic waste pollution in our surroundings.

This event garnered complete support from the communication study program and Betty Andriani S.Sos., M.I.Kom., a lecturer in Public Relations Campaign. According to her, activities like this must receive full support. Besides being a manifestation of student initiatives, she mentioned that this action also promotes positive changes in the environment.

“Green Warrior is one of the outcomes of the PR campaign, where students are endeavoring to address the concept of zero waste. It deserves our support because it is a positive initiative, aiming to enhance awareness and sensitivity regarding the ongoing plastic waste crisis.  Hopefully, this activity will have an extraordinary impact on various segments of society,” concluded the UMS Communication Science Lecturer.

Writer: Fika

Editor: Gede

Translator: Farizal