They eagerly questioned him about the simple tool - a 20-liter plastic bucket with a cover and a bottle of liquid - which could transform organic household garbage into liquid fertilizer.

"Can we throw chicken bones and meat? What will we do with the dregs?" asked Riana Suma Putri, the owner of an orchid garden in Ragunan, South Jakarta.

Another visitor asked what they should do with larvae that might be created during the composting process.

Sukamto patiently answered all questions, even repeated ones.

The 59-year-old said Biosca, the liquid he created, barely left dregs.

For the very first use, the liquid would turn organic waste into a liter of liquid fertilizer within two weeks.

After a successful first harvest of fertilizer, Biosca could turn organic waste into liquid fertilizer in three days, albeit at less than a liter, he said.

He said he developed the liquid fertilizer technique three years ago.

A two-year scholarship program he took at the Organization for Industrial Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) in Japan from 1979-1981 helped him develop the technique.

The Biosca, he said, was certified by Bandung Institute of Technology and Sucofindo.

He said he was still in the process of patenting the bucket, which has two ventilation holes on the top and a tap on lower position.

Sukamto demonstrated the simple process by cutting leaves to simulate organic waste and spraying the slices with water mixed with Biosca.

"Use only two bottle caps of Biosca for a liter of water that is free from chlorine," he said.

"You don't have to clean it or throw away the dregs as they will become liquid."

He added he had used a compost maker at his home for three years without emptying the dregs.

Sukamto said people could throw chicken bones or meat and should not worry about larvae as they would speed up the composting process.

"Just lubricate the inner top of the bucket with soap to prevent the larvae from escaping the bucket."

Other activities at dozens of booths in the Green Festival sparked children's curiosity.

Can painter Lani said dozens of children had joined her workshop, busily painting used cans using acrylic paint.

The Atap Alis workshop was full of children who were amazed by toys made from used goods.

The festival this year was organized by retail company PT Unilever Indonesia TBK, oil and gas company PT Pertamina, PT Panasonic Gobel Indonesia, Sinar Mas Group and three mass media outlets.

For more information about the liquid compost maker, call 021 4204565.

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