The waste problem has become an urgent problem for Batu City residents, especially after the closure of the Tlekung Final Disposal Site (TPA) at the end of last year. The closure of this TPA requires residents to process waste independently at the village level. However, without a clear Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and minimal innovation, the results of waste processing are not optimal.
Temas is one of the villages that already has a 3R Waste Processing Site (TPS3R), there are at least 1,700 Heads of Families (KK) who deposit their waste here. The waste collected by officers is then sorted by type, namely organic, PET bottles, glass and paper. Organic waste is the type of waste that is generated the most, reaching 280 kg of waste every day. Previously, a composting method using bioconversion media in the form of BSF (Black Soldier Fly) maggots had been carried out.
However, according to one of the managers of TPS3R Temas, he admitted that he had abandoned this method since its maintenance takes a long time and the money turnover is slow, which is only IDR 5,000 per kg of maggots. “We no longer use this method because its maintenance takes a long time and the money turnover of these maggots is slow, which is only IDR 5,000 per kg. Therefore, we only sell organic waste to duck and pig farmers at a price of IDR 5,000 per 20 kg of waste,” said Mrs. Anik, the manager of TPS3R Temas, which is in line with the statement of Mr. Adi Santoso as the village head.
Responding to this problem, students from the Faculty of Economics and Business, Department of Chemistry, and Veterinary Education, Universitas Brawijaya developed an innovative idea that not only handles waste resolution but also increases economic activity in Batu City. This initiative focuses on the utilization of maggots as pet food in order to increase the selling value of maggots and increase income from TPS3R Temas.
According to research, the protein and fat content of BSF maggots has health benefits for digestion, anti-bacterial and increases metabolism. In addition, when viewed from an economic perspective, domestic pet food needs reach 60% of imported products which cause capital outflow and lack of labor absorption that can potentially be reduced by this product.
The PKM-PM team named “Temas Project” is chaired by Diva Zhafira Indirawardhana (Accounting, FEB) with members Yogi Aditya Nainggolan (Veterinary Education, FKH), Revita Putri Amalia (Management, FEB), Fidyah Dwi Cahya (Chemistry, FMIPA) and Nazhifa Jacinda Maheswari Abidin (Chemistry, FMIPA) under the guidance of Farah Wulandari Pangestuty, S.E., M.E., Ph.D from the Faculty of Economics and Business, has the initiative to serve the community by holding training on processing maggots into pet food and also training on how to brand products and sell them through digital media. This program is funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology and Universitas Brawijaya through the Student Creativity Program in Community Service in 2024.
“We are very grateful to have multidisciplinary team members so that we are able to collaborate well according to the fields of knowledge possessed by each member,” said Diva, the team leader.
In the first training, employees at TPS3R were taught the process of making pet food which begins with drying wet maggots and mixing them with other ingredients as a source of carbohydrates, fiber and vitamins. The dough that has been mixed evenly and is elastic is formed into pellets and dried.
“The activity was really exciting, the employees here were enthusiastic about this training as proven by some of those who attended asking questions with us and some even wanted to try helping to grind the dough,” added Yogi.
At the end of the activity, one of the team members conveyed his impressions and hopes for the next program “We will be back soon with branding and digital marketing training activities which are no less important. Doing digital marketing is easy, cheap and fast because currently we live in the digital era and the majority of people access the internet which makes daily activities easier. So, the hope is that it can reach a wider consumer base,” said Revita.
With this program, it is hoped that residents can independently carry out waste processing activities, so that it can increase income for Temas TPS3R. With the success of this program, this method is expected to be replicated in other TPS3Rs in Batu City, so that waste that was initially a problem can become a blessing that can improve community welfare. (pkmpm/wdd/UB PR/ Trans. Iir)
