University of Mataram Enforces Comprehensive Plastic Waste Reduction Policies and Refillable Water Systems to Protect Campus Terrestrial Ecosystems
As part of its institutional commitment to achieving a zero-waste-to-landfill campus and safeguarding terrestrial ecosystems from plastic pollution, the University of Mataram (Unram) officially enforces binding policies to minimize plastic waste and advance circular resource consumption across all campus operations.
Institutional Policy and Regulatory Framework
Unram’s mandate on reducing plastic waste on campus is governed by two primary regulatory instruments:
- Rector’s Decree of the University of Mataram Number 5157/UN18/HK/2026 on the Commitment of the University of Mataram to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Circular Economy and Single-Use Plastic Minimisation (Second Dictum, Points 18 & 19): Mandates the implementation of circular economy principles (reduce, reuse, recycle), waste reduction at the source, and the strict minimization of single-use plastics and environmentally harmful disposable packaging across all campus activities.
- Supply Chain, Canteen, and Third-Party Compliance (Second Dictum, Points 10 & 21): Extends sustainable procurement and plastic reduction obligations to all campus food vendors, canteens, suppliers, contractors, and outsourced service providers.
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Protection (Second Dictum, Points 22 & 26): Links campus waste reduction directly to the protection, maintenance, and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems, green open spaces (Ruang Terbuka Hijau), soils, and watersheds from solid waste and plastic contamination.
Article 8 (Pasal 8) establishes an operational framework for minimizing waste generation at its source, specifically instructing the university community to adopt sustainable consumption patterns by:
- Prioritizing reusable and biodegradable materials in all campus activities;
- Minimizing unnecessary plastic packaging;
- Avoiding single-use plastics whenever possible;
- Utilizing products made from biodegradable materials;
- Selecting products with clear information on their use and proper disposal; and
- Encouraging the reuse of materials to extend product lifecycles and prevent waste from entering terrestrial disposal streams.
Practical Implementation: Refillable Water Infrastructure and Closed-Loop Consumption (2025–2026)
To translate these policies into measurable campus action and eliminate single-use plastic water bottles, Unram launched a campus-wide refillable water and reusable container ecosystem:
Installation of Free Drinking Water Refill Stations
Unram established two free potable drinking water refill stations at high-traffic campus hubs—strategically located near the Unram Food Court and at the four-faculty intersection adjacent to the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB). These facilities provide safe, clean drinking water for students, lecturers, administrative staff, and visitors, replacing the purchase of single-use bottled beverages.
Distribution of Reusable Unram Tumblers
Unram distributed durable, reusable tumblers to lecturers and administrative staff. Combined with the refill stations, this initiative establishes a closed-loop consumption system that replaces disposable plastic packaging at the source.
Multi-Stakeholder Infrastructure Partnership with Bank BTN
The water resupply infrastructure was developed in partnership with Bank BTN. The facilities were formally inspected and reviewed by the Rector of the University of Mataram on February 14, 2025 to ensure optimal operation and safety standards, followed by an official handover ceremony from Bank BTN representatives to university leadership on April 14, 2025.
Contribution to SDG 15.4.2 and SDG 12.2
By combining binding institutional regulations (Rector’s Decree No. 5157/UN18/HK/2026 and Rector’s Regulation No. 10 of 2022) with permanent refillable water infrastructure, Unram directly prevents single-use plastic waste from polluting terrestrial habitats, campus green spaces (17.58 ha), and local landfills—advancing both SDG 15.4.2 (conserving land ecosystems from plastic waste) and SDG 12.2 (sustainable management and circular use of natural resources).
Official Policy :