University students teach Jakarta residents to compost organic waste using recycled bottles

Students from the Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta (UMJ) are conducting a community service program focused on environmental education and organic waste management in Rawa Badak Selatan, North Jakarta. The initiative, led by thematic student group KKN (Kuliah Kerja Nyata) Group 9, aims to empower residents to manage their organic waste effectively right from their homes.

The program features workshops on utilizing simple "EcoComposter" devices, constructed from repurposed gallon bottles. Participants learn about the importance of sorting waste into organic and inorganic categories, the negative impacts of poorly managed waste, and practical methods for converting organic waste into compost. This hands-on approach seeks to foster a deeper understanding and encourage active participation in waste reduction efforts.

“

Waste management should start from the smallest environment, which is from home. People do not have to wait for large-scale waste processing facilities to start making changes.

Sahdan Arya Maulana, a student from the Industrial Engineering program and the local head of RT 07/RW 08, is playing a key role in the initiative. Known as "RT Gen Z," he is actively involved in implementing the program alongside his sub-group members, including Farhan Nur Ridhwan (Mechanical Engineering) and Fathir Aldian Novianto (Architecture). The project is supervised by Dr. Ratna Dewi Nur'aini, the Field Supervisor Lecturer.

Maulana emphasized that managing household organic waste does not require large-scale facilities. "Waste management should start from the smallest environment, which is from home," he stated. "People do not have to wait for large-scale waste processing facilities to start making changes." He believes that using simple composters allows households to process their organic waste, turning it into a valuable resource for plants and environmental greening, thereby reducing the volume of waste destined for final disposal sites.

“

Organic waste from home can actually be managed by ourselves. Besides having benefits again, this step is also expected to help reduce the amount of waste entering the transportation and final disposal system.