The EcoRanger program from the Greeneration Foundation officially ended the #blubuatbaik collaboration with BCA Digital and Kitabisa. This action was closed by dissemination held in Pancer Hamlet, Sumberagung Village, Banyuwangi on Tuesday, May 24th, 2022. This activity was attended by 80 participants of the Banyuwangi Regency government, Greeneration Foundation representatives, the EcoRanger team, and beneficiaries of the #blubuatbaik “home waste sorting manner”.
Are you curious enough about the story of EcoRanger and Pancer Hamlet villagers in the #blubuatbaik to build a habit of sorting waste from home? Let’s find more of the story!
A Collaboration of #blubuatbaik
Indonesia is still struggling to solve the problem of increasing and unmanaged household waste. Approximately 67.8 million tons of waste are produced annually, 37.39% are household waste (KLHK, 2020). Although the Government of the Republic of Indonesia has set a target of reducing waste by 30% and handling 70% of waste by 2025 (Presidential Regulation No. 97 of 2017 concerning National Policies and Strategies for Household and Akin of Household Waste Management), the threat of household waste problems still haunts society and the environment.
Can’t let the problem become worsen, EcoRanger seeks to build the habit of Hamlet Pancer, Banyuwangi Regency villagers’ home waste sorting with BCA Digital and Kitabisa in the #blubuatbaik collaboration. This action has been carried out from June 2021 to April 2022. Through this action, EcoRanger provides assistance, waste facilities and infrastructure, educates the villagers, as well as establishes multi-stakeholder collaboration to build the habit of home waste sorting.
On this occasion, Fahrian Yovantra, the representative of the Greeneration Foundation said, “The Greeneration Foundation initiated the EcoRanger program in 2018. We joined this collaboration to help EcoRanger in giving a more beneficial impact on the community, especially in waste management in Pancer Hamlet.” This collaboration is expected to be a turning point for villagers and the government in Pancer Hamlet to commit doing these good habits, therefore, the level of waste segregation at the Waste Management Center (SEKOLA) increases.
Community Behavioral Change
Active for 9 months in fostering the Pancer Hamlet villagers to sort waste in their respective homes, EcoRanger started its journey by regularly educating 89 families from house to house about a responsible waste management system. These villagers are SEKOLA clients managed by EcoRanger.
Apart from receiving education at home, SEKOLA clients are also invited to visit SEKOLA and learn the process of waste management with the SEKOLA team from the collection, sorting, and recycling through EcoRanger Academy. Again, they also participated in the Beach Clean Up together with tourists and the local community to clean up the marine debris of Pulau Merah Beach.
The tight relationship between the community and EcoRanger as well as the routine education carried out can make the community change their habit of sorting waste step by step independently. Now, they are used to sort their waste. “We are now getting used to sorting our own waste and it has become our culture. The EcoRanger team also helps us to recycle sorted waste. We are grateful. Gratitude to this collaboration, we can keep the house cleaner and better,” stated Agus Mulyono, Head of Pesanggaran Sub-district.
Home Waste Sorting Achievements
At the end of this collaboration, all parties involved are proud because their contribution in building a responsible waste management system brings a positive impact on the environment, society, community, and stakeholders. The villagers’ waste sorting reduces the percentage of residual waste sent by SEKOLA to the Banyuwangi Final Processing Site (TPA) by 23%.
Duardi Prihandiko, Head of Marketing & Communications BCA Digital conveyed in more detail the achievements of community waste which have been further separated and managed by EcoRanger, “We have managed 279,880,375 kg of household waste from June 2021 – April 2022 consisting of inorganic waste by 5.77%, organic 70.3% and residue 23.92%. This is an extraordinary achievement of home waste sorting on a regular basis.
The sorted waste is further processed by EcoRanger. Organic waste is recycled into compost which can be used to fertilize plants. Inorganic waste such as plastic material is processed with the recycling industry so that it doesn’t end up in a landfill. Residual waste is managed by the Banyuwangi Regency government at the landfill. This collaboration is a concrete manifestation of sustainable waste management implementation as a whole.
What They Say About Changing Waste Sorting Manners
The #blubuatbaik collaborative action has educated 89 families and 71 of them have consistently implemented waste sorting from home. The people of Pancer Hamlet as the beneficiaries who participate in implementing the responsible waste management system receive a positive impact from sorting waste. Unexpectedly, most people think that sorting out the garbage is complicated and troublesome and can be done easily by them.
“We are happy that EcoRanger not only helps us manage waste but also invites us to learn how to manage waste. So, we don’t throw garbage in rivers and seas anymore. After getting used to it, it turns out that sorting garbage is easy. We can also help the sorting team at SEKOLA,” said Maya, a SEKOLA client.
The real action of this collaboration was also appreciated by the Village Consultative Body (Indonesian: Badan Permusyawaratan Desa / BPD) of Dusun Pancer which was conveyed by Mr. Budi, “The EcoRanger team is meritorious in inviting people not to throw garbage into rivers and seas. Therefore, in the future, the BPD will always coordinate with the government to support this activity, as well as seek the issuance of a Village Regulation so that the activity is legalized and recognized. Hopefully, the government more involved in waste management activities.
Even though they have succeeded in changing the waste management habits of Pancer Hamlet villagers, it should not stop here. Now, we are not satisfied yet with the results achieved because a lot of waste problems are still waiting in the future to be faced and resolved together. As previously expressed by all parties, this action must be developed and ensured its sustainability in order to pursue the solution to the waste problem.
Society, environmental institutions, and the industrial sector have initiated this good initiative. Now, the government is expected to make a big contribution to maintaining and supervising the sustainability of the action, so that it is not only the villagers of Pancer Hamlet who sort waste, but also residents of other hamlets in Banyuwangi, East Java, and other parts of Indonesia. To care, to clean, to sustain!
