Surabayans Turn Garbage Into Cash

The diesel-powered waste shredder instantly roared into action when Supardi, 64, an employee at the temporary garbage disposal facility (TPS) in Jambangan subdistrict, Surabaya, switched on the machine, emitting black smoke from its exhaust pipe, as the blades rotated. "It's time to cut up the trash," Supardi told The Jakarta Post.

He took a batch of dried leaves and corn cobs from the pile of garbage next to the device and fed it into the cutting blades in the top part of the machine. In the wink of an eye, the garbage was reduced to tiny shreds, measuring about one-by-two centimeters, and heaped at the bottom of the machine.

"The crushed byproduct will then be filled into a composter, which will process it into compost in two months," said Supardi. It will then be sieved into fine particles and will be ready for sale. "A kilogram packet of compost sells for Rp 600 (6 U.S.cents)," he said.

Supardi and his colleague Suyadi, 41, gather an average of 2.5 tons of household garbage per day,
which can be turned into a ton of marketable compost. "We yield at least Rp 600,000 every two months. The money will be used for operational costs, and we'll get whatever is left," said Supardi.

What Supardi is doing is part of an independent waste processing program in Jambangan subdistrict in Surabaya. The program was initiated in 2002 by the Unilever Peduli Foundation, under the auspices of PT Unilever, in cooperation with the Surabaya municipality and Surabaya State University (Unesa). The project aims at reducing household waste in Surabaya.

"We have introduced the concept of sorting organic and non-organic waste in households," said foundation general manager, Okty Damayanti. Non-organic waste is usually sold to recyclers, while
organic waste is immediately cut and stuffed into a compost bin -- in the shape of a bucket with a lid and a three-meter-long pipe on top -- specially provided to each household in Jambangan.

Heat and foul smelling gases are emitted through the pipe during the decomposition process, during which organic matter is broken up into fine particles. A slot at the bottom of the bin is used to collect the compost. "I fill the compost bin with organic waste every day," said a resident in Jambangan, Supriyatun Jupri, 44.

Although the process seems simple, implementing it was a challenge, especially sorting the waste, due to residents' habit of dumping garbage directly into the Berantas river in their vicinity. "I was at first reluctant to do it because I'm no scavenger," recalled Wiwik, 48. However, after residents realized the potential of the compost bins and proceeds gained from compost sales,
their attitude gradually changed. Households with limited space to operate a composter can dispose of their non-organic waste at the Jambangan garbage facility.

"The surroundings in Jambangan are more beautiful now, and the river is cleaner and no longer clogged," said Wiwik. Trees in the area look healthier since they have been fed compost fertilizer and the banks of Berantas river, especially the stretch in Jambangan, seems
cleaner. And the most outstanding achievement was the 2005 Energy Globe Award in the Water category, presented to PT Unilever for its pilot project in Jambangan, eliminating 700 other companies from throughout the world participating in the program.

"Although it is initiated by PT Unilever, this is an achievement for the residents of Jambangan. Hopefully, it will reduce pollution in Surabaya," said Surabaya Mayor Bambang DH, who intends to implement the program throughout the city. State Minister for the Environment Rachmat Witoelar
was of the opinion that the project should be implemented by cities throughout the country.

"This is very important, because other cities are also facing waste problems," said Rachmat, who will also urge other companies involved in community development programs to focus more on community participation in protecting the environment.***