The visit was attended by BTN representatives, including Vidy Aryo Fajar, Head of BTN’s Sumatra Regional Office, and Shindy Zara, Branch Manager of BTN USU Sub-Branch Office (KCP USU). Representing USU were Prof. Dr. dr. Dewi Masyithah Darlan, DAP&E, MPH, Sp.ParK, Director of Partnerships and Internationalization; Dr. Ir. Noverita Sprinse Vinolina, M.P., Director of the Directorate of Innovation, Sustainable Development, and Science and Technology Park; and Zaid Perdana Nasution, M.T., Ph.D., Head of the USU Circularity Center Center of Excellence (PUI).

The visit formed part of an effort to bridge university innovation with industry sustainability programs. BTN has consistently embedded sustainability principles into its policies, products, and services as part of its long-term business strategy. This approach ensures that business growth not only creates economic value but also contributes positively to social well-being and environmental preservation.

BTN's commitment to sustainability is reflected in its 5P Principles—Planet, People, Peace, Partnership, and Prosperity—which serve as the foundation of its sustainable finance initiatives. Through programs such as low-emission housing, expanded financial inclusion, circular economy development, and multi-stakeholder partnerships, BTN continues to integrate sustainability into every aspect of its operations while supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.

Within this context, USU's Integrated Waste Processing Facility is regarded as a promising model of circular economy-based waste management that can be further developed through collaboration. Beyond processing campus waste, the TPST also serves as a center for research, education, and the downstream development of waste-derived products, including compost, maggots, maggot meal, kasgot (insect frass fertilizer), Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), pyrolysis fuel, and a digital waste management recording application.

Head of BTN's Sumatra Regional Office, Vidy Aryo Fajar, stated that the visit to the TPST represented an important first step in exploring collaborative opportunities aligned with BTN's sustainability agenda.

"BTN is committed to continuously advancing sustainability programs that deliver tangible benefits to both communities and the environment. Guided by our 5P Principles, we aim to ensure that every collaboration generates not only economic impact but also strengthens social responsibility, environmental conservation, and community empowerment. USU's TPST model is particularly compelling because it integrates education, technology, and the circular economy within a single ecosystem that can be replicated," said Vidy.

He added that BTN's experience in developing circular economy initiatives—including programs that transform waste into economic value for local communities—closely aligns with the waste management model developed by USU.

"We see strong synergy between BTN's sustainability programs and the development of USU's TPST. Waste can become a valuable resource when supported by technology, education, and community participation. Therefore, disseminating this technology to regencies around Lake Toba is highly relevant, particularly in supporting a tourism destination that is clean, productive, and sustainable," he added.

USU's Director of Partnerships and Internationalization, Prof. Dr. dr. Dewi Masyithah Darlan, DAP&E, MPH, Sp.ParK, emphasized that the collaboration with BTN opens significant opportunities for the university to extend the benefits of its innovations to wider communities.

"We view USU's TPST not merely as a waste processing facility, but as a living laboratory that integrates research, education, community service, and innovation commercialization. Through our collaboration with BTN, we hope this model can be expanded more broadly, particularly to support sustainable waste management in regencies surrounding Lake Toba," she said.

Meanwhile, Zaid Perdana Nasution, M.T., Ph.D., Head of the USU Circularity Center Center of Excellence (PUI), explained that the waste processing technologies developed at the TPST were designed to be simple, practical, and adaptable to a variety of community settings.

"The principle is straightforward: waste is sorted, processed, documented, and then transformed into products with tangible value. This model can be implemented on university campuses, in tourism villages, schools, markets, residential areas, and communities around Lake Toba. With proper guidance, waste processing technology can become an integral part of strengthening local economies while preserving the environment," he explained.

The dissemination program discussed during the visit focuses on training, mentoring, replication of simple waste processing technologies, community capacity building, and the development of community-based circular economy models. Regencies surrounding Lake Toba have been identified as strategic areas due to their ecological, tourism, cultural, and economic significance, all of which require sustainable environmental management systems.

Through this collaboration, USU and BTN aim to establish a partnership model that brings together universities, industry, local governments, and communities to address waste management challenges. Beginning with the TPST at USU, waste processing technologies are expected to be replicated throughout the Lake Toba region. Through the partnership between USU and BTN, the circular economy is expected to flourish, enabling communities to experience direct economic, social, and environmental benefits from improved waste management practices.