Chevie Transforms Waste into Economically Valuable Products

For 52-year-old Chevie Mawarti Setianingrum, waste is far more than mere discarded trash destined for a landfill. In the creative hands of this resident from Jalan Teratai Putih 1, RT 06/04, Malakasari Urban Village, Duren Sawit Sub-district, East Jakarta, various types of refuse are transformed into commercially valuable handicrafts.

The proceeds from the waste sales are then returned to each respective RT

Chevie’s dedication to advancing waste management earned her selection as one of five environmental advocates representing East Jakarta in the 2026 Jakarta Provincial “Pilah Sampah Heroes” (Waste Sorting Heroes) competition—an event held to commemorate National Heroes Day in the capital.

Beyond upcycling waste, she actively educates the community to adopt the habit of sorting refuse at its source. These efforts are channeled through a local waste bank initiative that has been operating since February 2024.

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“Currently, our registered members have reached 160 residents from RT 01 through RT 17 in RW 04, Malakasari Urban Village,” she expressed, Monday (11/9).

Together with locals, she sorts inorganic waste by category. The collected waste is then weighed on a monthly basis, averaging between 1.6 and 1.8 tons.

“The proceeds from the waste sales are then returned to each respective RT as a community fund. Some residents also choose to accumulate their earnings to purchase precious metals as a form of savings,” she explained.

Her work does not stop with waste segregation. She has introduced creative innovations by adding value to materials once considered valueless.

“One example is used cooking oil. The discarded oil is first refined until clear, then used as a raw material to produce items such as cleaning soap, candles, and drink coasters,” she noted.

According to her, another innovation involves repurposing secondhand clothing. In collaboration with a state-owned enterprise (BUMN), used garments and fabric scraps are turned into various functional crafts, such as tote bags and laptop bags.

"Through our collaboration with the BUMN and support as a fostered entrepreneur under an automotive company, our upcycled items are regularly featured at bazaars and exhibitions organized by ministries and the Jakarta government,” she shared.

In terms of marketing, Chevie primarily targets companies and corporations looking for products to use as hampers or gift sets. Meanwhile, marketing through retail channels continues to face challenges.

“Not many people yet realize that used cooking oil can be processed into products of economic value,” she continued.

Her work becomes all the more inspiring through her commitment to empowering youth with disabilities. 15 individuals are engaged in making these handicrafts—five who are deaf and speech-impaired, alongside 10 living with intellectual disabilities.

They are enrolled at Malakasari Loka Bina Karya (LBK), a community vocational center under the auspices of the Jakarta Social Agency. Chevie, who teaches at the center, guides them in developing hands-on artisanal skills.

The youth contribute to every step of the process, from tailoring and cutting scrap textiles to assembling marketable goods. They are also given opportunities to participate in trade fairs and community bazaars.

“This is far more than just labor in production; it is about education and empowerment so they can gain the self-reliance they need in the future,” she added.

Prices for the upcycled items range widely, she explained. Individual candles retail for approximately Rp 5,000 to Rp 7,000, whereas bottles of soap are sold for Rp 25,000 to Rp 35,000.

When customized into gift hampers featuring unique artistic designs, their value climbs from Rp 65,000 up to Rp 350,000. Production output is adjusted to match demand and orders from collaborating partners.

“All the profits from our sales are distributed directly to the team who helps us make them,” she underscored.