Indonesian students train mothers to make soap and sanitizer from kitchen waste

In East Jakarta, a student team from the National Development University (UNM) has empowered local mothers to transform kitchen waste into useful household products. The "EcoWorth" team conducted a training session for members of the PKK (Family Welfare Education) group in Cipinang Melayu, Makasar District, teaching them to create multipurpose soap and hand sanitizer from eco-enzymes.

The initiative, part of a community service program, focuses on enhancing residents' skills in managing organic waste. Participants learned the benefits of eco-enzymes, derived from fermented organic waste, and how they can be utilized for various household needs. The training involved hands-on practice in preparing ingredients, mixing according to formulations, and packaging the final products.

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Eco enzyme is not only beneficial for organic waste management, but it can also be processed into various household products that have added value. Through this training, we hope PKK members are able to practice the manufacturing process independently, even develop it into a sustainable business opportunity.

Nazwa Syifa Fitriani, the team leader, emphasized that the program aims not only to reduce organic waste but also to open economic avenues for the community. "Eco-enzymes can be processed into various household products with added value," she stated. "We hope PKK members can practice making them independently and even develop them into sustainable business opportunities."

The chosen products, soap and hand sanitizer, were selected due to high public demand for practical and environmentally friendly hygiene items. Ive Sulistiah, the head of PKK RW 012, praised the training for its practical approach, noting that the participants gained valuable knowledge about turning organic waste into economically viable products. She expressed hope that this knowledge would be shared within the community.

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This training provides new experience for us. Not only learning to process eco-enzymes, but also knowing that organic waste can actually be turned into useful products with economic value. We hope this knowledge can be applied and shared with other residents.