ULM Lecturers Introduce Circular Economy to Manage Wetland Waste in Guntung Ujung Village

Banjar, August 29, 2025 – A team of lecturers from Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), through the 2025 Lecturer Compulsory Service Program (PDWA), conducted a socialization session on the circular economy system with residents of Guntung Ujung Village, Gambut District, Banjar Regency. The activity was attended by approximately 50 participants, including community members, MSMEs, and village officials.

The team leader, Dr. Ir. Syahrial Shaddiq, S.T., M.Eng., M.M., M.Si., emphasized that Banjar Regency is rich in wetlands, including swamps, rivers, and peatlands, which hold significant potential. Through a circular economy approach, this potential can be utilized to improve community welfare while preserving the environment.

“Rice straw can be processed into organic fertilizer, purun and water hyacinth can be made into crafts, while organic waste can be used to produce biogas. In this way, the community can gain economic benefits without damaging the environment,” he explained.

This socialization aims to introduce the concept of a circular economy, which emphasizes the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle. Participants were given an understanding that waste can become a valuable resource, both for household needs and small businesses.

The participants’ enthusiasm was evident in the post-activity evaluation. Most residents expressed their readiness to apply circular economy principles in their daily lives. Several farmer groups have even begun processing rice straw into compost, while village women’s groups are interested in developing crafts from purun and water hyacinth.

This activity is supported by the Guntung Ujung Village Government and the Banjar Regency Government, which provide facilities and encourage community participation. This support is expected to strengthen the commitment to the continued development of the circular economy concept in the area.

The PDWA ULM team involved, in addition to Dr. Syahrial Shaddiq, includes Hj. Susi Apriana, S.E., M.Si., Hj. Ayu Oktaviani, S.E., M.Si., Ak., CA., Hj. Novika Rosari, S.E., M.Si., Ak., CA., H. Kasyful Anwar, S.E., M.Si., Ak., CA., Muhammad Ihsanul Arief, S.Th.I., M.Ag., Erlan Titoe, S.E., and Steven Kenli.

Through this community service, ULM hopes that the Guntung Ujung Village community will be able to manage wetland waste wisely, utilize natural resources sustainably, and produce environmentally friendly products that can boost the local economy.

Going forward, the community service team, led by Dr. Syahrial Shaddiq, plans to provide ongoing mentoring so that the environmentally friendly products produced by the community can further develop and become widely known.