The GOTWASTE application interface prototype designed by Muzaki Kurnianto, a student at the ITS Department of Environmental Engineering, to help process organic waste

ITS Campus, ITS News – Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS)’s students never stop achieving fantastic feats. This time, Muzaki Kurnianto, an ITS Environmental Engineering Department student, won the Best Essay award at The 2nd National Student Leaders on Sustainability Meeting (NSLSM) 2022, which took place last Thursday (10/11).

The event was hosted by Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University (Untirta) and organized by UI GreenMetric in Banten. It took place on November 8 – 10, 2022, carrying the theme Collective Actions for Transforming Sustainable Universities in the Post-Pandemic Time and focused on developing the role and contribution of youth in protecting and maintaining environmental sustainability.

Muzaki Kurnianto, known as Zaki, talks about waste management in an essay he wrote. The young man from Mojokerto chose the sub-theme of organic waste management for a reason. “Most people only focus on processing inorganic waste, even though the potential for reducing organic waste also needs to be studied,” said the student born in 2001.

Muzaki Kurnianto (second from right), a student of the ITS Environmental Engineering Department who won the Best Essay award at The 2nd National Student Leaders on Sustainability Meeting (NSLSM) 2022

Zaki decided to explore ideas and innovations by presenting GOTWASTE, an application-based and internet-based organic waste management system, based on the urgency of organic waste processing and his background in Environmental Engineering. “GOTWASTE is a waste processing application that is integrated with the cultivation of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae,” he said.

BSF larvae cultivation was chosen because of its efficiency and effectiveness in supporting the waste treatment process. He revealed that the fast life cycle of BSF larvae is suitable for campuses with large piles of organic waste and limited land.

Muzaki Kurnianto (center) during the awarding procession as the winner of the Best Essay at The 2nd NSLSM 2022

Other than focusing on waste management, Zaki also explained that GOTWASTE was created to facilitate the distribution and transportation of organic waste piles. “Later, the waste management products will be distributed to the respective Waste Management Units (UPS),” Zaki continued.

Then he mentioned, there are four features offered in his application. These include tracking the location of trash bins, tracking the location of garbage collectors, exchanging points, and online mass media containing articles or literature on waste management. “The feature that is an advantage and makes my application authentic is the point exchange feature,” said Zaki.

He then stated that his application offers four features. These include tracking the location of trash cans and garbage collectors, exchanging locations, and online publications that feature waste management-related articles or literature. “The feature that is an advantage and makes my application authentic is the point exchange feature,” said Zaki.

The jury at The 2nd NSLSM 2022 warmly and favorably welcomed Zaki’s work. This was demonstrated by Zaki’s achievement in winning the best essay prize after defeating 62 competitors from 35 universities in Indonesia. Hopefully, he added, “I hope that GOTWASTE can be downstream soon so that it can have a beneficial impact on the environment, especially at ITS.” (ITS PR)

Reporter: Hibar Buana Puspa