Sumiati Henggar Purwanto, a caretaker of the Kebon Sirih RPTRA together with her colleagues are creative in using used goods into handicrafts that have economic value, such as tissue boxes to wastebaskets.

We taught ourselves without a teacher to make those crafts

Sumiarti expressed that the idea of making various handicrafts originated from her concern for the surrounding environment. She saw a lot of plastic drink bottles, plastic cups, patchwork, and used paper that people threw away. Then she immediately thought to collect them.

At first, they did not understand what the used goods were to be collected considering they only wanted to reduce waste.

After work managing the park, they were trying to tinker with and weave used goods such as drink bottles and patchwork into useful objects.

As a result, they managed to make a pretty tissue box.

"We taught ourselves without a teacher to make those crafts," she admitted, Sunday (4/3).

Seeing the results were very interesting, they were routinely making handicrafts from used goods after work.

They finally decided to pursue it after they made a profit from the sale of these used goods. The handicraft products they made were priced from Rp 50,000 to Rp 150,000.

"Our products are currently marketed to TP PKK cadres and residents who visit RPTRA," she explained.

Because apart from having economic value, it could also help the Jakarta administration reduce plastic waste. With her friends, she would continue to work on this craft.

Menteng Sub-district Community Forum for Environmental Care (Formapel) Chair Hendra Kurnia Harasjid appreciated and supported the steps that had been taken by the caretakers of the Kebon Sirih RPTRA.

He hoped that all areas in Menteng Sub-district could have pioneers to manage waste into high-value products.

"This is a positive activity. We'll keep supporting it and collaborating with those who have ideas for the use of this waste," stated.