Effectiveness of Local Microorganisms in Household Organic Waste Processing

Research conducted by a team from Brawijaya University aims to assess the effectiveness of local microorganisms in accelerating the decomposition of household organic waste. This study is part of an effort to provide efficient and sustainable ecological solutions for household waste management, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas experiencing increasing daily waste production.

The study lasted three months and involved 50 households as respondents. Each household was given a closed bucket and a starter culture of local microorganisms isolated and developed by the research team. These microorganisms were selected based on their ability to decompose organic matter quickly and efficiently, as well as their natural availability in the surrounding environment.

Research shows that using local microorganisms can accelerate the decomposition of organic waste up to twice as fast as conventional composting. In addition to speeding up decomposition time, this process also produces a liquid fertilizer (bio-slurry) high in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which can be used as a liquid organic fertilizer for household and community agriculture.

Another advantage of this approach is its relatively low operational costs and ease of implementation at the household level. Residents only need a sealed container and a microorganism starter, which is easy to produce on a small scale. This approach is expected to increase community participation in independent waste management while fostering ecological awareness in the surrounding environment.

As a follow-up, the research team is developing a community business model based on environmentally friendly products (eco-products), utilizing the results of decomposition in the form of organic liquid fertilizer. This model is designed to increase the economic value of household waste while strengthening local food security through urban farming utilizing processed fertilizer.

This research makes a significant contribution to supporting the sustainable development agenda, particularly in the areas of waste management and community empowerment. Broader implementation of these research findings will require support from local governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations in the form of training, equipment provision, and environmental education campaigns.