Human-centered Campus: Development of Sustainable Canteen Wastewater Treatment System using Design Thinking and 5M+E Approaches

Abstract Water is fundamental to life; however, it is contaminated by numerous human activities. This issue extends to campus settings where canteen wastewater contributes to environmental pollution. Telkom University, a leading private institution in Indonesia, significantly emphasizes waste management. This study sought to identify solutions for the canteen wastewater problem at Telkom University's main Dayeuh Kolot, Bandung campus, and assess the outcomes. Additionally, this study aimed to uncover the critical success factors for sustaining the program. Design Thinking guides solution development for wastewater, while the analysis of program success factors employs the 5M + E framework, which considers Man, Machine, Method, Material, Money, and Environment. This study used qualitative methods such as observation, interviews, water acidity tests, open questionnaires, and focus group discussions with individuals involved in campus waste processing, and conducted a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of wastewater solutions before and after implementation. This study presents a prototype solution for canteen wastewater, utilizing a multistage filtration system crafted from environmentally friendly materials consisting of banana stems, coconut fiber, red bricks, and charcoal. This system significantly enhances water and ditch quality, curbs pollution, and revitalizes aquatic life. The study also highlighted three crucial factors for the program's success: material selection, environmental considerations, and human resources, with the latter exemplified by the team leader’s commendable competence. This research illustrates that human-centered approaches rooted in social sciences can effectively address water quality issues, even without relying directly on watery scientific disciplines.