Household organic waste, such as fruit scraps, vegetables, and stale\nrice, can be processed into local microorganisms (MOL), which are then\nused as bioactivators in compost production. This simple innovation was\nintroduced through a Community Service (Pengmas) initiative by Strada\nIndonesia University in collaboration with Waste Bank groups in\nRejomulyo Village, Kediri City.<\/p>\n
The programme implements a Community-Based Waste Management (CBWM)\napproach, positioning the community as the primary actors in the\nreduction, processing, and reuse of waste. This approach is designed so\nthat waste management does not end at disposal, but evolves into a\nprocess that generates benefits for both the environment and the\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
The head of the community service team, Prof.\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Indasah, Ir.,\nM.Kes., noted that waste management can begin at the household level\nthrough simple sorting and processing. According to her, organic waste,\nwhich has long been considered worthless, can still be utilised to\ncreate useful products if managed correctly.<\/p>\n
During the implementation, residents did not only receive materials\nbut were also directly involved in the practical production of MOL. The\ningredients used include fruit waste, stale rice, brown sugar or\nmolasses, water, rice bran, and fermentation media. The practice was\ndesigned to ensure participants gain the skills to process waste\nindependently.<\/p>\n
The MOL, once fermented and matured, is subsequently used as a\nbioactivator in composting. Participants also practised processing\norganic waste using fermented bran, rice husk charcoal, compost sacks,\nsieves, and aerobic composters.<\/p>\n
This series of activities also introduced the concept of a circular\neconomy at the community level. To support sustainability, the\ntechnology used is tailored to community needs, ranging from\nfermentation drums, jerry cans, and compost sieves to aerobic composters\nand community-scale organic shredding machines. Technology is positioned\nas a means to strengthen community capability, rather than being the\nultimate goal of the programme.<\/p>\n
The programme continues through the establishment of MOL Production\nand Composting Centres, accompanied by participatory mentoring and\nmonitoring. Strengthening of organisation, management, and the\ndiversification of Waste Bank services is also provided to ensure\nactivities can run sustainably and possess stronger institutional\nframeworks.<\/p>\n
The activities in Rejomulyo demonstrate that the success of waste\nmanagement is determined not only by technology but also by knowledge,\nskills, participation, institutions, and mentoring. Through CBWM, the\ncommunity is encouraged to sort, process, and reuse waste according to\nlocal conditions, ensuring that organic waste is no longer merely\nrefuse, but a resource with inherent value.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/organic-waste-transformed-into-local-microorganisms-and-sustainable-compost-1789034317", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }