Organic Waste Can Become Economically Valuable Products

Organic waste, which so far often ends up in landfills, can apparently be processed into various useful products. Through simple management, leftover fruit peels and vegetable scraps not only reduce waste piles but also possess utility and even economic value for the community. This awareness is beginning to be introduced to students through various school-based waste management programmes. One such initiative is carried out by Allianz Indonesia through the Eco Enzyme programme, which promotes the utilisation of organic waste into products that can be used in daily life. Chairperson of the Allianz Peduli Foundation, Ni Made Daryanti, stated that waste management requires consistency and habituation starting from the immediate environment. “Through the Eco Enzyme programme, we want to encourage the community, including school communities, to see that organic waste has utility value when managed properly,” said Ni Made. The programme has been running since 2022 and continues to be developed. This year, the focus of activities is directed towards utilising the fermented organic waste results into products more closely aligned with community needs while potentially providing added economic value. At two state primary schools in Jakarta, namely SDN Rawamangun 02 and SDN Pondok Kopi 02, teachers, students, and parents were invited to collect fruit peels and vegetable remnants to be fermented for three months into Eco Enzyme liquid. The fermentation results can be utilised as floor cleaning fluid, dishwashing liquid, odour eliminator, insect repellent, and even plant fertiliser. Not only that, the fermentation residue, which is usually discarded, is also processed into other products such as therapeutic pillows and natural room fresheners. The therapeutic pillows are made from fermentation pulp utilised as an alternative natural compress as well as aromatherapy. Meanwhile, the room fresheners are made from the dried and packaged pulp in cloth bags. According to Ni Made, this approach aims to demonstrate that organic waste management need not be complicated. With simple education and practice, the community can reduce waste whilst simultaneously gaining benefits from the processing results. The programme also involves the entire school ecosystem, from teachers, students, school committees, to parents. The involvement of various parties is considered important to build the habit of sorting and processing waste from an early age so it can continue within the family environment. This effort is in line with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government’s policy of encouraging waste sorting and processing at the source. Through habituation in schools, a more responsible waste management culture is expected to grow and become part of the community’s daily life.