Pekanbaru, October 31, 2025 — Green Society, in collaboration with the Sociology Study Program of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Riau (FISIP UNRI), held an event titled “Enhancing Students’ Ecological Awareness through Waste Management Education” at the FISIP Pavilion, Universitas Riau, on Friday, October 31, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until completion. The activity was attended by students of the Sociology Study Program currently taking the Environmental Sociology course.
In his opening remarks, the Chairperson of Green Society, Robi Armilus, S.Sos., M.Si, emphasized the importance of cultivating ecological awareness early within the academic environment. He highlighted the strategic role of students as agents of change in preserving the environment, particularly through concrete actions such as waste management and the application of the 3R principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) in daily life.
The event featured two main speakers. The first was Siti Wahyu Vitamagistra, S.Sos., M.A, a lecturer of the Environmental Sociology course, who presented a material entitled “Waste Processing as an Adaptation Strategy to Environmental Pollution.” She discussed various techniques for processing organic and inorganic waste, including composting, creating ecobricks, and making art from recycled materials — as creative and sustainable solutions to reduce waste volume.
The second speaker, Puput Rusmawati, S.Pd., M.Sos, introduced Green Society’s programs and initiatives, particularly “GreenPay”, an educational initiative that encourages students to exchange sorted waste for income or money. This program aims to shift students’ perspectives on waste — from viewing it as mere garbage to recognizing it as a valuable resource. In addition, participants were invited to practice transforming plastic waste into useful everyday items, such as turning used bottles into pencil holders, flower pots, and other creative products.
Through this activity, it is expected that students will not only understand the concept of waste management theoretically but also be able to apply it practically within the campus and broader community. This educational initiative represents a concrete step by Green Society and FISIP UNRI in fostering an environmentally conscious culture and supporting the realization of a green and sustainable campus. (A.F)
