In a Collaboration, IPB University and UB Students Organise Training on Organic Waste Management into Charcoal Briquettes
IPB University’s Innovation Real-Thematic Work Lecture (KKNT) group collaborated with the KKN team from Brawijaya University (UB) to conduct an innovative training programme on processing organic waste into briquette charcoal. This activity took place in Madiredo Village, Pujon Sub-district, Malang Regency, East Java and involved the village’s Final Waste Disposal Site (TPST) officers.
The briquette training programme aims to provide knowledge and skills to the community on how to process organic waste into briquette charcoal that can be used as an alternative fuel. The briquettes produced are expected to reduce the community’s dependence on fossil fuels and help reduce the volume of organic waste in the village.
The project leader of this programme, Amilia Sari, stated that the briquette training programme is one of the students’ real contributions in dealing with environmental problems in the village.
“We want to educate the community that organic waste, especially dried twigs of apple or orange trees that are no longer used have a value that can be processed into something useful. These charcoal briquettes can be a solution to environmental problems as well as a cheaper and environmentally friendly alternative energy source,” said Amilia.
The training lasted for two weeks, starting from the collection of organic waste in the form of apple wood branches, the process of making briquettes, to how to use briquettes as fuel. All stages of making briquettes were carried out with enthusiasm by the students and the local community.
One of the TPST officers, Jumiah, gave her response. “This training really opened up our knowledge. Previously, we at TPST only focused on sorting inorganic waste, while we left organic waste alone. We learnt that apple wood branches, which are piling up in the village, can be processed into useful and economically valuable charcoal briquettes,” she said with a big smile.
The Chief of Madiredo Village, Mahfud, also welcomed and strongly supported this innovation. “Organic waste in Madiredo Village is still not well resolved. The amount of organic waste, especially waste from apple branches, oranges or other agricultural waste, has not been processed properly. I hope that the training on making briquettes from organic waste can be a solution that can be applied by the community so that it can reduce the amount of organic waste in this village,” said Mahfud.
Amilia Sari added that this innovation is not just a short project, but part of a long-term effort to create a cleaner, healthier, and more independent village. With charcoal briquettes as a renewable energy solution, Madiredo Village can be an example for other villages in effective and efficient waste management.
“We are optimistic that through this training programme, students can have a real and sustainable positive impact on the community. With the spirit of togetherness and innovation, change towards a better environment is no longer a dream, but a reality that is being realised,” he hoped. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)
