UNM Students Turn Kitchen Waste into Income with EcoWorth Programme in East Jakarta
Students from Universitas Nusa Mandiri (UNM) are empowering residents of Cipinang Melayu, Makasar, East Jakarta, to turn organic kitchen waste into a source of income through the EcoWorth programme. The initiative focuses on educating members of the PKK (Family Welfare Empowerment) group on processing organic waste, such as fruit peels and vegetable scraps, into eco-enzyme, a multifunctional environmentally friendly liquid.
Nazwa Syifa Fitriani, head of the EcoWorth PKM-PM team, explained that the programme was born out of concern over the high volume of organic household waste that remains underutilised. “Many people still view organic waste as worthless rubbish. In fact, if processed properly, it can become eco-enzyme, which is beneficial for the environment and has economic potential. Through EcoWorth, we want to change the community’s perspective on waste into a productive resource,” she said.
The team, consisting of students from the Digital Business programme at UNM’s Faculty of Economics and Business, chose PKK members as partners because of their strategic role in household management and their potential to become agents of environmental change. The programme not only provides education on waste management but also opens up opportunities for sustainable home-based businesses.
Johan Hendri Prasetyo, the team’s supervising lecturer, emphasised that EcoWorth is a concrete implementation of the university’s mission to connect student innovation with community needs. “Students are not only required to master theory in class but also to provide real solutions for society. This programme demonstrates how simple innovation can have an environmental impact while empowering the local economy,” he stated. He added that the initiative aligns with the spirit of a circular economy and environmental sustainability, hoping it will encourage the creation of a healthier and more productive environment while generating new economic opportunities for residents.