That day, the atmosphere in a building near Gate IV of the University of Sumatera Utara (USU) Campus felt different. The building, which was previously just a place for unused items to pile up, is now neatly transformed and enlivened with waste processing machines and maggot breeding containers.

In early May, specifically on Tuesday (6/5/2025), USU, along with the North Sumatra Provincial Government, inaugurated the Integrated Waste Processing Site (TPST), a bold step to realize a zero-waste campus, while also establishing a center for waste management innovation.

The Governor of North Sumatra, Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution, was present to directly review and appreciate the facility. According to him, the success of waste management is not only the burden of the government or campus but a shared task, including the community. "With tangible economic value, it is hoped that the community will be more motivated to get involved. That's what we need to think about the steps for," said the Governor.

From a Lecturers' Chat to a Living Laboratory

The birth of the TPST cannot be separated from the concerns of a group of lecturers from the USU Environmental Engineering Study Program in early 2024. Zaid Perdana Nasution, ST, MT, Ph.D, Head of the Environmental Engineering Study Program, recalls that simple conversation.

"At that time, we were discussing waste management at USU. There was management, but it was not based on the science we possessed. Yet, we have the knowledge, experience, and technology for it," he said. From that discussion, the big idea was born to build a TPST that not only cleans up waste but becomes a living laboratory for research, education, and very bright commercialization opportunities.

A proposal was then submitted to the USU Rector, Prof Dr Muryanto Amin, SSos, MSi. His response? Positive yet challenging. The rector requested that the TPST program not stop at just technical management but be integrated with cross-disciplinary research, which allows for the growth of commercialization potential that will later enable the TPST to operate independently.

Pilot Project of Four Faculties

The initial step for the pilot project was carried out at four faculties: the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Faculty of Psychology, as well as the rector's office. Three-in-one trash bins with three distinct colors (red, yellow, green) were installed at strategic points for the initial sorting of organic, inorganic, and residue/hazardous and toxic waste. The management flow was also strictly designed, starting from transportation according to type, sorting, shredding, and then processing into valuable products.

Plastic waste is processed through pyrolysis into diesel and gasoline. Organic waste, including leaves and twigs, is converted into compost or Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF). Meanwhile, food scraps are processed into maggot feed (Black Soldier Fly larvae) which then become the "main actor" in this cycle.

Maggots: From Waste to White Gold

Inside the TPST room, Zaid showed a large box of maggots that were covering and voraciously devouring food scraps. A sight that is disgusting to some, in fact, holds great hope.

"These maggots are master decomposers, as well as a source of protein. Once they mature, they can be sold as feed for chickens, ducks, and even fish. Derivative products such as maggot flour or feed pellets are highly sought after; their market has even reached international levels," explained Zaid.

The price of maggots is also claimed to be quite lucrative. Wet maggots are sold for IDR 5,000–10,000 per kilo, dried maggots for IDR 75,000/kg, and export quality can reach IDR 100,000/kg. From three kilos of wet maggots, one kilo of dried maggots can be produced. Abroad, the trend of maggot consumption for human food is even starting to grow, making it a high-value "white gold."

The USU TPST facility is now equipped with a conveyor belt, a plastic shredder, a maggot dryer, and a feed pellet machine. All of this supports the concept of a circular economy: waste is no longer garbage, but a new resource.

The Head of USU Public Relations, Amalia Meutia, M.Psi., stated that this concept is not yet in the form of a savings-based waste bank, but it is already in line with the principles of a circular economy. "Going forward, we will explore an incentive model so that students and the surrounding community can participate more actively," she said.

From Campus for the Earth

For Zaid, TPST is more strategic than a Final Disposal Site (TPA). The land needed is smaller, operational costs are lower, and the results are more productive. But more than that, the TPST is also multi-functional as a space for research, education, and collaboration.

Students from various study programs are now free to learn directly at the TPST. Some are researching maggot quality, developing digital systems, and even creating educational games about waste. "The Rector wants this TPST to be a unit for research, community service, and commercialization at the same time. We are open to collaboration with local governments, State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and other campuses in its future development," said Zaid optimistically.

Although it is still new, the ambition of USU's TPST is quite large: to become a national model for university waste management, and even at the sub-district and city level. From behind the roar of the conveyor machines and the distinct smell of compost, a big dream is stored: to transform waste into a resource, while also supporting organic food security.

"If we are consistent, not only can zero waste be achieved, but also organic food security and tangible economic opportunities," Zaid said optimistically.

This movement may have been born from a small chat in a lecturers' room, but it has now grown into a living laboratory that unites research, technology, economy, and a new lifestyle. Amidst the noise of the plastic shredder machines and the never-ending busyness of the maggots at work, a simple message is tucked away: the earth will only recover if humans are willing to care for it.

From a campus that once only viewed waste as consumption remnants, a movement is now born that sees it as a source of new life. Perhaps like love, which sometimes comes from small and unexpected things; so too, waste management at USU grew from a light conversation, then transformed into a great determination that gives hope. If maggots alone can transform consumption remnants into nutrients, can't humans also turn problems into opportunities? From the silent space of the USU TPST, a message and a promise for a cleaner, greener earth and a life full of hope takes flight. (RJ)