Development of an edutainment shaft garden for integrated waste management in the UGM green campus

Biomass productivity and organic cycles in tropical regions are the highest in the world because of increased temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sunlight year-round. Organic waste not only comes from the agricultural sector (agriculture, horticulture, plantation, forest, livestock, and fisheries), but also from non-agricultural entities (cities, market, offices, households, campuses, industries, and other sectors). Organic waste volume from the integrated campus UGM yard reached 30 tons/day, requiring the support of adequate self-managed waste management facilities. Various experimental approaches were used in designing the Waste Management Centre at UGM as part of an edutainment (education and recreation) program. The problems at the Waste Management Centre included (1) an integrated system of recreational functions in biogas and compost processing; (2) high operational costs; and (3) space efficiency for productivity and processing. Development of a 'Shaft Garden' was chosen a solution for (1) creating visual attraction and space experiences from biogas and compost management; (2) utilizing gravitational force as a utility distribution system; and (3) creating a sequence of spaces according to the function. Integrated organic-cycle management by empowering the 9R (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, Refill, Replace, Repair, Replant, Rebuild, Reward) framework with a multi-function and multi-product approach has provided higher value-addition to environmental, economic, socio-cultural, and health aspects.