Residents of RT 08/01 Sunter Agung Urban Village, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, utilize material from plastic waste to create handmade products and sell it to enhance their economy.

I empower 10 of my neighbors to create these handicrafts

One of them is Priyati, who has started this activity since four years ago. Together with her neighbors, she creates various useful products made from combination between knitting, sewing and plastic waste.

"I like to spend my free time to do my hobby, sewing and knitting, at first. I create pouch, purse, and tablecloth. But then I initiate to use unused plastic bags to make purse, tumbler bag, and bag. Later, I try to combine it with beads and knitted materials," she explained, Monday (4/22).

The price varies between Rp 20-50 thousand per item for waste plastic crafts. While it could reach to Rp 200 thousand for knitting craft depends on the materials and difficulty on making product.

"I empower 10 of my neighbors to create these handicrafts. At least we can get profit Rp 2 million per month. We usually participate in exhibition to sell our products. Besides, we also sell it through Facebook and Instagram," she mentioned.

RT 08/01 Head, Mukhlis stated, Priyati and her neighbors are members of UP2K Karya Cempaka. This group encourages local residents, especially housewives, to use their free time for positive activities while helping the family's economy.

Sunter Agung Urban Village Head, Danang conveyed, Priyati's hard work in empowering housewives at RW 01 and developing UP2K Karya Cempaka makes this group to be able to compete at city level.

"We will try to encourage and empower residents from other RWs in Sunter Agung," he added.