Brebes Village Uses Banana Leaves to Wrap Sacrificial Meat

To reduce plastic waste, the kurban committee in Luwungragi Village, Bulakamba District, Brebes, Central Java, has stopped using plastic for wrapping sacrificial meat and switched to banana leaves. The move is part of a green initiative to effectively cut single-use plastic bags, which typically surge during kurban distributions. Banana leaves are chosen for their biodegradability, environmental friendliness, and the fresh aroma they impart to the meat.

Kanty Yosefa, a kurban committee member, stated, “The primary reason is to reduce plastic waste. Using banana leaves ensures packaging decomposes faster, making it eco-friendly.” She added that locals prefer banana leaves as they eliminate plastic disposal, and the leaves can be reused for composting. “Banana leaves are easily accessible in rural areas; only two leaves are needed per meat portion to wrap securely and neatly,” she explained.

This year, local resident H. Ridhohul Khukam, currently performing Hajj, offered 21 cattle for kurban. “Alhamdulillah, 21 sacrificial animals were slaughtered and distributed across designated areas including Sengon, Songgom, Luwungragi, Siasem, Tegal, and other regions,” Kanti said.

Luwungragi Village Head M. Amin Toha commended the initiative: “We hope this movement expands to create cleaner, plastic-free celebrations.” Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has also proposed using banana leaves as a plastic alternative amid rising plastic costs affecting communities.

The use of banana leaves for food wrapping is common in Indonesia due to their eco-friendliness. The white layer often seen on the underside of banana leaves is natural wax, not dirt.