Reducing Single-Use Plastics through Institutional Policy and Green Campus Practices

08 November 2026
6 min read
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13

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta is committed to reducing plastic waste through formal institutional policy, behavioural change, reusable alternatives, water-refill infrastructure, and improved waste-management practices.

The University recognises that single-use plastic creates long-term environmental impacts through resource consumption, waste accumulation, and pollution. Reducing unnecessary plastic use therefore forms an important component of the University's Green Campus programme and its contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

During 2024–2025, UIN Jakarta strengthened this commitment through a Rector's Circular Letter specifically addressing plastic-waste reduction, campus-wide awareness programmes, reusable drinking systems, and waste-separation initiatives.

1. Establishing a Formal Plastic Reduction Policy

On 9 July 2024, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta established Rector's Circular Letter Number 09 of 2024 concerning Plastic Waste Reduction. The Circular Letter provides formal institutional guidance for reducing plastic waste within the University environment.

The policy was developed as part of the University's Green Campus commitment and aims to reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with plastic waste. It encourages members of the University community to adopt more sustainable daily practices and reduce their dependence on single-use plastic products.

The Circular Letter establishes concrete measures rather than limiting the University's commitment to a general environmental statement.

2. Eliminating Plastic Bottled Water from University Activities

One of the most direct provisions of Rector's Circular Letter Number 09 of 2024 concerns bottled drinking water.

The policy instructs University units not to provide drinking water in plastic packaging during campus activities such as meetings, seminars, and workshops. Instead, units are directed to provide alternatives including dispensers, drinking glasses, and glass bottles in meeting rooms. This provision directly reduces demand for single-use plastic bottles generated through institutional meetings and events.

By changing procurement and event-management practices, the University seeks to reduce plastic waste at its source rather than relying exclusively on downstream recycling.

3. Encouraging Reusable Drinking and Food Containers

The University's policy also promotes behavioural changes among members of the academic community. Students and employees are encouraged to carry and use their own reusable drinking bottles or tumblers. The policy further encourages reduced consumption of food and beverages packaged in plastic. These practices are intended to normalise reusable alternatives within everyday campus activities.

In September 2024, the Green Campus Team reinforced this policy through a public awareness campaign encouraging students and other members of the University community to minimise plastic use by carrying reusable drinking bottles and reusable eating utensils.

This activity demonstrated that the University's plastic-reduction policy was accompanied by institutional communication and behavioural guidance.

4. Providing Water Refill Infrastructure as an Alternative to Plastic Bottles

Policy implementation is supported by investments in drinking-water infrastructure.

In October 2024, UIN Jakarta documented the availability of water-refill facilities as part of its Green Campus water-conservation initiatives. The facilities allow students, lecturers, administrative personnel, and other campus users to refill reusable bottles rather than purchasing bottled water.

The initiative directly supports the implementation of Rector's Circular Letter Number 09 of 2024 by providing a practical alternative to disposable plastic drinking bottles. During 2025, additional implementation was documented at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences.

The Faculty activated a water drinking fountain in its ground-floor lobby in May 2025. Students and employees were encouraged to use tumblers or reusable drinking bottles when accessing the facility.

The drinking water was also reported to have undergone laboratory testing to support safe consumption.

5. Engaging Campus Food-Service Providers

Rector's Circular Letter Number 09 of 2024 also addresses waste generated through campus food services. The policy directs relevant units to educate canteen operators concerning waste separation and reduction.

This provision is important because campus food and beverage activities can generate significant quantities of disposable plastic packaging. By involving canteen operators, the University extends its plastic-reduction approach beyond individual behaviour and into campus service operations.

The initiative provides a foundation for encouraging food-service practices that minimise unnecessary packaging and promote more environmentally responsible consumption.

6. Strengthening Waste Separation and Recycling Infrastructure

Plastic reduction is complemented by improvements in waste-management infrastructure.

During 2025, UIN Jakarta expanded the availability of separated waste bins for organic, inorganic, and hazardous waste. The Green Campus programme identified plastic-waste reduction and improved waste management as important elements of the University's environmental strategy.

Waste separation helps improve the management of unavoidable plastic materials while the University's source-reduction policy aims to prevent unnecessary plastic waste from being generated. Together, prevention and waste separation create a more comprehensive institutional approach to plastic management.

7. Integrating Plastic Reduction into Green Campus Governance

The University's plastic-reduction programme forms part of a wider Green Campus governance framework.

Rector's Decree Number 1415 of 2024 concerning the Green Campus Policy provides an institution-wide framework covering infrastructure, energy, waste, water, transportation, education, and research.

Plastic reduction is therefore implemented as part of a broader institutional sustainability programme. In 2025, UIN Jakarta strengthened its Green Campus governance through the establishment of the Green Campus Development Centre.

The Centre supports coordination of environmental initiatives including waste management, infrastructure, education, energy, and water. This institutional development provides additional capacity for monitoring and strengthening plastic-reduction measures across University units.

8. Promoting a Culture of Responsible Consumption

The University's approach combines policy requirements with awareness and practical alternatives. The prohibition on providing plastic bottled water at University events addresses institutional consumption.

The promotion of tumblers and reusable food containers addresses individual behaviour. Water drinking fountains provide infrastructure supporting reusable alternatives. Engagement with canteen operators addresses food-service waste. Waste separation supports more responsible management of plastic materials that cannot yet be eliminated.

Together, these measures encourage a shift from disposable consumption toward reuse, reduction, and environmentally responsible waste management.

9. Contribution to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta has established a formal policy to minimise plastic use through Rector's Circular Letter Number 09 of 2024.

The policy specifically prohibits the provision of plastic bottled water during University meetings, seminars, and workshops; promotes reusable drinking containers; encourages reduced consumption of plastic-packaged food and beverages; and involves campus canteen operators in waste-reduction activities.

These policy measures have been supported through Green Campus awareness programmes, water-refill infrastructure, reusable drinking practices, and expanded waste-separation facilities during 2024–2025.

Together, these documented measures demonstrate that UIN Jakarta has established and implemented an institutional policy to minimise plastic use and reduce plastic waste across campus activities.

Through these initiatives, the University contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goal 12, particularly Indicator 12.2.5, by promoting waste prevention, reusable alternatives, and more responsible patterns of consumption.

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