Kedungkandang (malangkota.go.id) – The persistence of the couple Yusup Karyawan and Efrida Hartini, who are the founders of the Eltari M-230 Waste Bank, has paid off. The efforts of these two environmental activists in the eastern end of Malang City have had a huge impact on the environment and the standard of living of the people in the Cemorokandang area, Kedungkandang District.
Yusup Karyawan said that for most people, waste is considered useless waste. Unlike Yusuf, according to him, waste is a blessing that if managed properly can have high utility value. "We manage inorganic waste into various works that have sales value, while we process organic waste into maggots and organic fertilizer. All are useful," said Yusup, Wednesday (5/2/2025).
Through the Eltari M-230 Waste Bank which was established in 2013, the community is taught how to sort waste starting from home, then distributed to the Malang Waste Bank and will be valued according to its type. The proceeds from the sale of the waste are not always taken immediately, but are stored first to be taken later when needed. "So in addition to being taught to sort waste according to its type, the community is also taught to save," he explained.
At the Eltari M-230 Waste Bank, Yusup and his wife also educate their members to be creative by utilizing waste so that it has a high selling value. "For example, plastic waste is turned into crafts such as hats, bags, woven items, mats, and others that have economic value to be sold or rented," added Yusup.
Yusuf further said that through this effort, the development and improvement of productive economic efforts, namely encouraging increased business activities and creativity in the community, can be achieved, and the mindset about waste in the community can be changed.
After the Eltari M-230 Waste Bank, Yusup and his wife also developed a waste-based business, namely Bank Tani Al Barru, Griya Maggot and also the manufacture of herbal medicine. The products of Griya Maggot are maggot fresh and processed maggot which is currently marketed to various regions in Indonesia. Maggot This fresh food is usually used as a substitute/alternative for fish, chicken and other livestock feed. While maggot processed food for cats, reptiles and various types of pets.
Meanwhile, Bank Tani Al Barru is one of the MSMEs engaged in the field of medicinal plants and organic vegetables. "The products produced are diverse, ranging from organic vegetables to medicinal plants, all of which have been widely consumed by the community. Some of our products are sold directly to buyers, some are also distributed to supermarkets," he explained.
Yusup said that although the selling value of Bank Tani Al Barru's organic products is quite high, public interest has not decreased. According to him, this is in line with the increasing public awareness of health by implementing a healthy lifestyle, one of which is by consuming organic food. "Organic farming is no longer old-fashioned farming, but a high-level agricultural concept that cannot be done carelessly. This makes organic vegetable products sought after by the public and has its own market," he concluded. (cah/yn)
