UMI Encourages Environmental Innovation, Manggala Antang Residents Turn Waste into Creative and Healthy Products

When the problem of household waste was increasing, a team of lecturers and students from the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) came up with a solution. With the Community Partnership Empowerment (PKM) program in Manggala Antang, they help residents see waste as something that is not the end, but the beginning of new opportunities.

The program with the theme "Technology Development and Optimization of Processing Household Waste into Creative, Healthy and Economically Valued Products in Manggala Antang" is funded by the Directorate of Research and Community Service, Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (KEMENDIKTISAINTEK).

This program aims to make the Manggala Antang community an education and training agent in utilizing household waste into creative, healthy and economically valuable products such as soap from used cooking oil. Apart from product processing, participants are also equipped with skills in packaging and digital-based sales promotion strategies.

"We want to instill awareness that protecting the environment does not have to be a burden. In fact, with creativity, we can make it a sustainable source of income. Manggala Antang will be a real example that change starts from home," said Dr. Ir. Anshariah, ST., MT.

The service team also involved Dr. H. Muhammad Syafii A Basalamah, SE., MM and Dr. apt. Sukmawati, S.Farm., M.Kes, ensured that this initiative would not just be a temporary activity. They provide production tools to the community, so that this activity can continue and progress even though formal training has been completed.

A mother who took part in the training with a radiant face said, "In the past, I only threw away used cooking oil. At this time, I realized that it could be turned into soap. In fact, it can be sold. This is a new opportunity to support family finances''.

Expressions like this are proof that change starts from simple knowledge but has a big impact.

This program is fully supported by the PELIPUR Foundation (savior of the kitchen environment) in this case as a Collaborative partner sharing experiences and also providing education about processing waste into high-value products, not only aimed at processing waste, but also at building a community ecosystem that cares about the environment. It is hoped that Manggala Antang can become a pioneer of a creative and environmentally friendly village, which can inspire other regions to use simple technology for shared prosperity.

With the help of appropriate technology, community participation, and the drive to innovate, waste now has different views: a view as an opportunity, a view for health, and a view for a sustainable future. From Manggala Antang, a meaningful message was heard:
"Don't waste an opportunity, even if it comes in a dirty form."