Jember, en.SERU.co.id – In a practical push against environmental challenges, the Jember Regency Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) is turning its own office waste into compost and supporting local scavengers through a simple but effective recycling initiative.
Edy Budi Susilo, Head of BPBD Jember, said the program stems from both the regent’s directive and a personal commitment to environmental responsibility. He noted that even small daily office activities inevitably generate waste.
“Every day, our office produces around 5 to 7 kilograms of waste. In a week, that adds up to about 50 kilograms, both organic and inorganic,” Edy explained on Wednesday (3/6/2026).
To manage this, BPBD Jember has introduced a strict zoned waste disposal system using color-coded bins. The agency separates waste into two main streams: an organic composter system that processes food scraps and leaves into fertilizer, and a “Sedekah Sampah” (Waste Charity) program for dry recyclables.
Organic waste is no longer thrown into general bins. Instead, it goes straight into dedicated composting units. Meanwhile, dry waste with economic value is collected, packed in large bags, and regularly donated to two scavengers who frequently stop by the office.
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“This is our way of giving back ‘Sedekah Sampah’ that has real economic value and can be directly used by the scavengers,” Edy said.
Any residual waste that cannot be recycled is carefully separated to avoid contaminating other materials.
Edy stressed that waste management doesn’t have to be complicated if there’s collective commitment to sorting it at the source.
“If we all have the will to separate waste from the beginning, this problem becomes much easier to handle. We hope this small, consistent step can inspire other government agencies to do the same,” he added. (sgt/mzm)
