
Description: The participants practice the method of making eco enzyme. (Photo by: Fajar/ @ecobhinneka)
The waste generated from daily activities at home, if managed properly, can not only prevent environmental damage but also hold economic value. The first step to take is sorting the waste according to its type. Plastic bottle and paper waste can be collected and delivered to waste collectors, while organic waste such as food scraps can be sorted and processed to make compost, biopores, and eco enzyme, all of which have many benefits.
The women of ‘Aisyiyah from Depok, West Java, who are members of the Environmental and Disaster Management Institution (LLHPB) of the Regional Board of ‘Aisyiyah (PDA) Depok, the Branch Board of ‘Aisyiyah (PCA) Sawangan, PCA Bojong Sari, and PCA Sukmajaya, encourage the involvement of women’s groups in their communities such as Sub Branch Board of ‘Aisyiyah, representatives of ABA Kindergarten teachers, PKK (Family Empowerment and Welfare) women, Muslimat, and waste bank activists to increase their capacity in utilizing household waste for economic value.
In collaboration with Eco Bhinneka Muhammadiyah, these women of ‘Aisyiyah enthusiastically held a training and workshop on waste charity, titled Women Eco–Preneurship: Building Creative Economy through Waste Charity Management. The event, attended by 82 participants, took place on Friday (January 24) at the Al Biru Jami’ Mosque Hall, Cinangka, Depok, West Java. The Muhammadiyah Branch Board of Sawangan and the Muhammadiyah Sub Branch Board of Cinangka also attended to support the activity.

Description: Warnisma, the Chairperson of PDA Depok and Coordinator of LLHPB, gave her speech during the opening session on the meeting. (Photo by: Fajar/ @ecobhinneka)
Warnisma, the Chairperson of PDA Depok and Coordinator of LLHPB, expressed ‘Aisyiyah’s commitment to contributing to environmental conservation with the establishment of the Environmental and Disaster Management Institution (LLHPB) of ‘Aisyiyah after the 2015 Muktamar in Makassar. “As women and mothers, let’s build our awareness in preventing environmental damage. We can start with managing the waste from our daily activities at home,” she urged. Besides contributing solutions to the waste issues in Depok, Warnisma hopes this activity can also increase the income of women at home. “After this activity, let’s share the knowledge we’ve gained with other women in our neighborhoods, including the dasa wisma groups in our RTs and RWs,” she concluded.
Juliana Ojong, the Secretary-General of Eco Enzyme Nusantara Center, shared her experience in practicing household waste sorting for compost, biopores, and eco enzyme. Since more than half of the waste sent to landfills is organic and can pollute the environment, she encouraged the participants to recognize the types of organic waste and demonstrated which organic waste can be used for compost, biopores, and which can be turned into eco enzyme.
“Used cooking oil can be sent to waste banks, other kitchen waste can be put in a composter to make liquid organic fertilizer, grass and dry leaves can be used as compost or growing media, and fresh fruit peels can be made into eco enzyme,” she explained. “Eco Enzyme is a multipurpose liquid resulting from the fermentation of fruit or vegetable peels. It can be used as a water purifier, cleaner or soap, fertilizer, and even for treating external wounds,” Juliana said. The participant became even more excited after trying the Eco Enzyme products shared by Juliana.

Description: Juliana Ojong, the Secretary-General of Eco Enzyme Nusantara Center, shared her experience in practicing household waste sorting for compost, biopores, and eco enzyme. (Photo by: Fajar/ @ecobhinneka)
The formula for making Eco Enzyme, Juliana added, was discovered by Rosukan Pompanvong, a doctor and agricultural activist from Thailand. “The Eco Enzyme formula is very easy to remember with the ratio of 1, 3, and 10. 1 kg of molasses or brown sugar, 3 kg of fresh, non-rotten fruit and vegetable peels, and 10 liters of water,” she explained. These ingredients are then placed in an airtight plastic container and left for 3 months before being harvested. “To keep the spirit up, the women should form groups to practice making composters, biopores, and Eco Enzyme,” she encouraged. “Even if it’s not sold, by making Eco Enzyme, not only will the environment be clean and healthy, but we can also save on the cost of cleaning liquids,” said Juliana, who is also actively involved in women and children’s section as well as environmental section in PERMABUDHI (Indonesian Buddhist Community Association).
The Director of Eco Bhinneka Muhammadiyah Program, Hening Parlan, invited all participants to join the Green ‘Aisyiyah movement. “The Green ‘Aisyiyah movement aims to protect the earth and care for the generations, in accordance with the teachings of the Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” she explained. Hening, who is also the Vice Chairperson of LLHPB at the Central Board of ‘Aisyiyah, emphasized that the ‘green’ lifestyle is not from the West, but rather from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). “The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used only 1 mud of water (0.7 liters) for wudu, repaired his sandals, and sewed his own clothes. This attitude sets an example for us to conserve water and not easily buy new things when old items are still usable,” she said.

Description: The Director of Eco Bhinneka Muhammadiyah Program, Hening Parlan, invited all participants to join the Green ‘Aisyiyah movement. (Photo by: Fajar/ @ecobhinneka)
Eco Sociopreneurship, as an effort to preserve the environment through social actions that can have economic value, according to Hening, relies on creativity, innovation, and building networks. “We can start building Eco Sociopreneurship towards Green ‘Aisyiyah by issuing letters, implementing it within the ‘Aisyiyah community, such as holding study groups while bringing reusable lunch boxes and water bottles, making posters, and creating innovations at the branch level by forming groups,” she suggested. “Innovations can include, for example, using old clothes for making crafts like mats and bags, turning food waste into fertilizer or eco enzyme, planting trees and vegetables, and other interesting innovations,” she added.
The Waste Charity Movement has already been implemented in 3 PRA or sub branches of ‘Aisyiyah in Sawangan, Depok. This was mentioned by the Chairperson of LLHPB PDA Depok, Siti Wastiyah. “The members of ‘Aisyiyah in the branch sort and collect paper waste, plastic bottles, gallon containers, wood, or zinc. These will be collected at designated waste charity posts, and once gathered, the waste will be taken by the waste collectors,” she explained. The proceeds from selling the waste, Wastiyah added, are used as the branch’s fund to support its operational activities and also for social purposes, such as helping to alleviate school tuition fees for less fortunate family members. “We hope that this training will further motivate the women leaders of ‘Aisyiyah branches to develop their branches through the waste charity movement,” she hoped.
The event was closed with a discussion and group presentations. Participants were asked to discuss the potential waste that could be managed for waste charity in their area, identify the skills they already possess, and outline future work plans and collaborations. The results of the discussion were presented and agreed upon as follow-up actions.
Noviyanti, the Chairperson of the PKK savings group from RW 8 Cinangka, and Komariyah from the Cinangka Branch Board of ‘Aisyiyah, expressed their excitement about being involved in the Women Eco–Preneurship event. “I learned many new things in this meeting, and in the future, I want to create an Eco Enzyme group in collaboration with ‘Aisyiyah,” said Noviyanti. “It’s important for waste to be reused and have economic value, so it can increase household income. In the near future, we want to do a comparative study with women’s groups that have successfully developed this initiative, so our branch can continue to grow and empower others,” added Komariyah.

Description: Group photo of all participants of the Women Eco–Preneurship: Building Creative Economy through Waste Charity Management. (Photo by: Fajar/ @ecobhinneka)
(Dzikrina Farah Adiba)