PANDA MOBILE AND PANULISAN WASTE BANK ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
There is one interesting sight that we will find in Pesona Griya Asri Housing, Purwakarta Regency. In one part of the complex, we can see a unique building where there are 500 ml plastic bottles filled with plastic arranged in a row as a plant separator. Meanwhile, underneath is fertile soil with lush leafy plants. Not far from there, there is an organic fertilizer processing facility opposite the garden that collects chili plants and rambutan trees. That's a glimpse of the Panulisan Waste Bank, Purwakarta.
The plastic bottles arranged as plant dividers are called ecobricks. Panulisan Waste Bank is able to give new life to plastic waste by turning it into ecobricks. So, the plastic waste will be stored and preserved in the bottle so that it doesn't need to be burned in the yard, pile up in the dump, or pollute the sea. In addition, they also turn organic waste into fertilizer that nourishes various plants from seed to fruit.
The organizers of the waste bank in Pesona Griya Asri Housing in Purwakarta Regency started their action in 2016. Waste is a serious problem that must be addressed. It is not enough just to throw garbage in its place. Waste management also needs special attention. In addition to reducing the accumulation of waste, this bank is also a source of income for the surrounding community, one of the ways is by processing organic waste into fertilizer.
Nono is not alone in running conservation. He has a team and is also assisted by the Forum Perempuan Peduli Lingkungan (FPPL). Together with the team and FPPL, he implements a culture of household waste management so that it is not wasted.
WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile activities in Purwakarta did not stop at the Panulisan Waste Bank. The next day, Friday (28/02), the Panda Mobile team accompanied by the Panulisan Waste Bank team visited Pesona Griya Asri Housing to spread conservation messages to PAUD, Bimba-AIUEO, and R.A. Miftahul Jannah children. The activities that day were watching videos, playing cricket, and coloring. The children, who consisted of a combination of PAUD and TK, were divided into four groups, then began to carry out activities at each post in turn. Before entering each post, Panda Mobile facilitators invited the PAUD and TK children to do gymnastics A Ram Sam Sam to be more enthusiastic. The increasingly fast movements broke the laughter of the participants and also the parents who watched from behind.
In the viewing session, preschool and kindergarten children were invited to climb into the Panda Mobile truck and watch videos titled "Quartet at the Crossroads" and "Tiger Hunter". They were introduced to the animal species in the videos and encouraged to love animals by conserving the environment. The preschool and kindergarten children were enthusiastic and happy to have a new experience, watching videos on the Panda Mobile truck.
In the games station, the children were introduced to orangutans and turtles through a game of cranklek. Although the jumps were not perfect, the preschool and kindergarten children were happy to take turns waiting for their turn. After everyone tried the game, Panda Mobile facilitators explained facts about the two animals to the little participants. In addition, the facilitator did not forget to convey conservation messages so that PAUD and TK children can participate in preserving the environment from an early age. The special mandate conveyed by the Panda Mobile team to the participants was mainly related to plastic waste. Used items made of plastic must be disposed of in the right place and then managed properly. So that plastic waste is not scattered and then carried to the sea and threatens the life of sea turtles.
While at the coloring station, the PAUD and TK children were given coloring sheets with pictures of Javan Rhinos. Some of them had already seen rhinos, so they knew that the animal has a large body and is gray in color. During the activity, the facilitator asked a question about the number of Javan Rhinos left. As it turned out, there was one participant who managed to guess that the number of Javan Rhinos only remained in the tens. The facilitator continued by delivering a message inviting PAUD and TK children not to consume products derived from the Javan Rhino. In addition, participants were urged to participate in protecting the forests where rhinos live, by not using excessive paper and tissue.
The Panda Mobile activity at Pesona Griya Asri Housing Purwakarta ended with a group photo of the facilitators, the participants, the Panulisan Waste Bank team, mothers from FPPL, and representatives of the Environmental Agency who were present as guests. "Hopefully we can do more activities with WWF-Indonesia. For example, a workshop that invites Mr. Nono. He can share his knowledge here," Ayu Erna Faridawaty, a member of FPPL Purwakarta, said enthusiastically to the Panda Mobile team.