UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga students have made a national achievement. Rosid Hidayat from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Antonius Bimo Widhianto from the Faculty of Economics and Business, and Ganjar Sidya Arcana from the Faculty of Nursing won the 2nd place in the Service Innovation category in Sebelas Maret Business Plan Competition, Sunday, November 26, 2023.
The Turbo team formulated the innovation called “EasyKostan: Refill System to Break the Chain of Plastic Waste Disposal from Residential Environmental for Students in Surabaya City”. Their concern about environmental issues, particularly plastic waste problems, sparked the idea.
Reducing plastic waste
The EasyKostan app provides solutions for students. Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the Environmental Agency of Surabaya City, students residing in boarding houses or apartments are the top plastic waste contributors in Surabaya. They can produce 578,196 tons of plastic waste annually. Besides, the number of new students in Surabaya can reach 40 thousand per year.
“From there, we initiated the EasyKostan app that provides refill services for household or dormitory needs. This idea aims to prevent the increasing amount of plastic waste in Surabaya,” Bimo said. EasyKostan provides convenience for customers with the online transaction system, which allows them to carry out transactions instantly and flexibly.
EasyKostan provides convenience for customers with the online transaction system, which allows them to carry out transactions instantly and flexibly.
EasyKostan implements the refill concept in all product sales. Customers must provide bottles to be refilled by couriers. Therefore, the use of plastic waste can be reduced.
“It allows customers to collect plastics and bottles to be recycled,” the Development Economics student said.
Achieving SDGs Goal 12
Bimo believed that innovation can achieve goal 12 in the SDGs, “Responsible consumption and production”. To achieve economic growth and sustainable development, everyone needs to recognize the importance of the environment.
“Our innovation supports the sustainable development goals by providing eco-friendly shopping options that are beneficial for students in Surabaya. Our innovation helps consumers in using disposable items wisely without polluting the environment,” he said.
Bimo encouraged fellow students to conduct interdisciplinary collaborations when participating in competitions. Interdisciplinary collaboration can broaden perspectives, leading to the creation of various brilliant ideas to address issues.
“It’s important for students. In participating in competitions, we should strive earnestly, not solely relying on intention. It will increase the chances to win,” said the Jakarta-origin student.
Author: Rafli Noer Khairam | Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
