By: Ciptanti Putri

A number of members of Koperasi Serba Usaha (KSU) Sampah Komodo were busy at the waste management warehouse in Batu Cermin Village, Labuan Bajo, last Tuesday (7/4). They were preparing for the inauguration of KSU Sampah Komodo. This organization was formed as a form of community concern for the environment in the region. This is because, since Komodo National Park has become one of the world-famous tourism destinations, the ecological footprint in the form of waste in the area has also increased.

On this occasion, WWF-Indonesia handed over donations in the form of household waste processing equipment consisting of a transportation motor, shredding machine, waste press machine, and plastic sewing machine. The donation was given by the CEO of WWF-Indonesia, Dr. Efransjah, which was received by the Regent of West Manggarai, Agustinus Ch Dulla, then directly delivered to the Head of the Kelola Sampah Business Unit, Adrianus Daru.

The donation purchased from WWF-Indonesia's loyal supporters is a form of support from Indonesia's oldest conservation organization in the implementation of responsible tourism. "WWF also supports the initiative of the Kelola Sampah Business Unit as a 'learning center' so that community members can learn from each other to reduce waste, take its economic value, recycle waste until its value becomes better," said Dr. Efransjah.

The Regent of West Manggarai appreciates WWF-Indonesia for paying attention to the ecological footprint aspect in his region. The people of West Manggarai are expected to be more concerned about better management of natural resources and the environment so that the tourism sector is better maintained and remains the world's attention. "This unit is also a solution to the limitations of landfills in West Manggarai," Agustinus said.

The head of the Kelola Sampah Business Unit, Adrianus Daru, expressed his gratitude for all the help his group has received. Since October 2014, Adrianus and his friends have received waste management training in Malang so that they can form the Komodo Waste Bank Community and educate the community to start sorting their waste. He hopes that the people of Labuan Bajo will wake up and continue to keep the environment clean. ""Let's be friends with waste because waste actually has economic value that prosper.""