Kampung builds 'compost house' for extra income

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 09/19/2008 11:51 AM | City

A number of Ciliwung riverbank dwellers work and oversee the construction of a novel environmental initiative in Bukit Duri, South Jakarta.

The residents, living under the threat of eviction, are building a compost-processing center for a cleaner environment and some extra income.

The area is prone to floods, caused by the dumping of garbage into the river. The residents say they hope they can abandon this habit and thus prevent floods.

The two-story building, dubbed "Compost House", contains several composting machines and places to chop up organic waste and dry the processed waste.

Special bins for the collection of waste have been distributed to each of the five neighborhood units (RT) taking part in the program.

"People here are enthusiastic about the activities, especially the younger generation", Hussein, head of RT 07, said over the weekend.

"We will train residents to separate organic and inorganic waste, to bring the organic waste to the compost house and to manage compost marketing later," said Lestari, the compost house project leader from Sanggar Ciliwung Merdeka (Free Ciliwung Studio), a local NGO.

The program is part of an environmental-awareness movement aimed at reducing waste and conveying local residents' ability to initiate a viable enterprise, Lestari told The Jakarta Post.

"For the inorganic waste, we send it to the Tebet landfill site, because we still can't recycle it," said Santi, a participant in the studio's environment and education program.

Ahmad Sanusi, head of public facilities for Kampung Melayu subdistrict in East Jakarta, said he supported the activity.

Bukit Duri and Kampung Melayu have a combined population of 65,000. Most residents earn their living either as traders or casual workers. -- JP/dis

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