EcoRanger has completed the Waste to Energy project, successfully managing waste into renewable energy. Biogas, compost, BSF, kasgot, and bio-slurry are the main products of organic waste recycling which has various benefits.
EcoRanger presents a new waste management innovation in Banyuwangi. The waste generated from the tourism area is processed into a renewable energy source. The waste management acceleration system brings opportunities to develop waste recycling products. Find more about the practice of Waste to Energy below!
Waste to Energy Accelerate Waste Management
The Process of Making Biogas As Renewable Energy (Rindra Rafsanjani Arifin / Emvitrust)
Since 2019, EcoRanger has been working on developing a waste management system in the tourism area of Banyuwangi Regency. It aims to implement the concept of sustainable tourism to maintain the sustainability of tourist destinations that support economic development.
The waste management system implements community education and empowerment, policy and organizational advocacy, provision of sustainable waste management facilities, and waste recycling. By implementing this system, EcoRanger has managed more than 589 tons of waste from 2019-2021. The largest amount of waste managed is organic waste.
However, this achievement insufficiently deals with the existing waste problem. The percentage of recycled organic waste is still quite low. Only 1.5% is recycled into compost (EcoRanger, 2021).
In response to a large organic waste problem, EcoRanger tried to accelerate the recycling of organic waste. Through the Waste to Energy program, EcoRanger increases the amount of waste recycled by enhancing recycled products. Organic waste is now also recycled into biogas, BSF, kasgot, and bio-slurry.
This project ran for 1 year from April 2022 – March 2023. The implementation of this program is supported by Mandiri Bank to have an extensive impact. Currently, the program has been completed and closed through dissemination activities. The dissemination was held on March 15-16 2023. The dissemination held a presentation of the achievements of the Waste to Energy program, Emvitrust inauguration by the Greeneration Foundation, biogas installations visit, SEKOLA visit, Beach Clean Up, and Wedi Ireng Beach Edutrip.
Sustainable Waste Management Scheme
Waste Management in SEKOLA (Rindra Rafsanjani Arifin / Emvitrust)
The new waste to energy scheme is complementary to the previous waste management scheme. Acceleration focuses on the waste recycling process. As a result, EcoRanger added more products and organic waste recycled.
The intervention began by providing education regarding waste management and recycling to the community. By the knowledge gained, the community independently sorts waste from their homes. Next, the waste is managed by the Waste Management Center (SEKOLA) team. The waste recycled into various products. Organic waste is processed into compost, biogas, maggot, kasgot, and bio-slurry. Inorganic waste is processed by the recycling industry. Residual waste was handed over to the Banyuwangi Regency Environmental Service.
The results of recycled organic waste are then used by the local community to meet their daily needs. In addition, recycled products are also used to support SEKOLA’s operations. This scheme has implemented a circular economy through waste management process.
Environmental Campaign with Local Communities
Educamp (Rindra Rafsanjani Arifin / Emvitrust)
Besides waste management operations, the Waste to Energy program also carries out various exciting and educative environmental campaigns. Environmental campaign was carried out to spread awareness and insight about waste management in Banyuwangi for the government, community and tourists.
Campaign activities that have been carried out are program launching, stakeholder focus group discussions, waste management workshops, EcoRanger Academy, Beach Clean Up, and Educamp. The campaign held routinely in order to have a more sustainable impact.
Environmental and Social Impacts
Tree Planting (Rindra Rafsanjani Arifin / Emvitrust)
The waste to Energy program has aim to reduce the generation of organic waste that pollutes the environment in Pancer Village, Banyuwangi Regency. Furthermore, the community expectantly will be more empowered in managing waste in a sustainable manner.
The program’s environmental impact is more than 250 tons of waste managed. This waste management has reduced the carbon footprint by 235,000 metric Kg CO2e.
Moreover, the biogas produced reduces the use of LPG gas that comes from non-renewable energy. The quality of agriculture has also improved because the use of bio-slurry and compost has reduced the chemical fertilizers used. The BSF is also used by residents for animal feed which is rich in nutrients.
The social impact of this program is also beneficial for the community. The acceleration of the waste recycling scheme has created jobs for local residents. More than 2,000 people have been educated about waste to energy management through various educational environmental campaigns. The number of SEKOLA clients also increased by 50 people. This means that 300 households have been able to sort waste from their homes.
Overall, these achievements have supported the target of the JAKSTRANAS in PP no. 97 of 2017. The government targets to reduce waste by 30% and 70% waste handling in Indonesia.
Waste Management Action Sustainability Plan
Emvitrust (Rindra Rafsanjani Arifin / Emvitrust)
We have known the impact of the Waste to Energy program. To maintain the sustainability of tourism in Banyuwangi, EcoRanger established Emvitrust which will continue environmental actions in Indonesian tourist destinations.
Emvitrust is a social entrepreneurial organization engaged in the environmental and sustainable tourism sector through empowering local communities. This institution has the official name Yayasan Green Harmoni Alam Indonesia. Emvitrust is located in Pancer Village, Sumberagung Village, Banyuwangi Regency.
In supporting the sustainability of Indonesian tourism, Emvitrust has several missions. First, building inclusive collaboration in realizing environmental governance and sustainable tourism. Second, increase public knowledge and awareness through eco-friendly tourism activities. Third, providing training and consulting services related to environmental governance and sustainable tourism. Fourth, developing resource potential and community independence in environmental management practices and sustainable tourism.
The main programs to maintain tourism sustainability are SEKOLA management, providing educational tour packages (Edutrip), and providing training and consulting services related to waste management in tourist destinations. These programs will spearhead environmental restoration in tourist areas so that they remain sustainable.