Discussing waste issues and ecological concerns, I suddenly reminisce about my first pesantren, where I acquired knowledge during my high school years. Yes, a pesantren nestled deep in Sumenep, specifically Annuqayah Guluk-Guluk pesantren.
It was there that I first became intimately connected with nature, understanding how to nurture and maintain the environment. I vividly recall being reprimanded by the security staff for buying rice wrapped in plastic. Initially trivial, I wondered what the issue was, but after being chastised, I sought an explanation from a senior. Astonishingly, after my explanation, the senior just chuckled without guilt. Eventually, after a lengthy explanation, I understood the detrimental impact of plastic wrapping on the environment or nature. The senior said, ‘The impact may not be immediate, but just wait.’
Imagine the sheer volume of plastic waste generated daily if every santri who bought rice used plastic wrapping. Considering Annuqayah’s santri data during my final year, which reached over 13,000 across all branches, if each santri consumed two meals daily with plastic wrapping, the amount of plastic waste produced daily would be immense.
This made me realize that the prohibition against using plastic wrapping for meals, although seemingly trivial, is not an easy matter. It requires heightened awareness to transform it into a habit. Yet, even this seemingly small effort demonstrates Santri’ concern for nature and the environment.
Now, I find myself in a pesantren environment not much different from my previous one. Similar in spirit, emphasizing the collective consciousness of caring for and nurturing the environment. By prohibiting Santri from presenting meals with any trace of plastic during activities, Pondok Pesantren Al-Anwar 3 Sarang Rembang—M. Faizi termed it in his book—is making tangible efforts not to harm the earth through dining practices.
These two pesantrens merely exemplify how pesantrens are now responding to the ever-increasing garbage issue. Besides these, it’s certain that many other pesantrens share the same spirit in addressing environmental problems, especially waste.
Because, regardless, environmental damage due to waste is a consequence of human actions and should not be allowed to persist. Daring to forego using wrapping for rice purchases is sufficient evidence of our concern for the environment. Let us engage in an ecological jihad together, Santri ready to lend a hand! Wallahu A’lam.