Klaten – Students participating in the Off-Campus Learning Program (PLK) at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) recently launched a community-based organic waste management initiative through the cultivation of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae, commonly known as maggots, in Pandan Hamlet, Somopuro Village, Jogonalan District, Klaten Regency, Central Java. The initiative, titled Eco Point, was developed to address the longstanding challenge of household organic waste management within the local community.
Through the Eco Point program, the UNY students introduced maggot farming as a fast, efficient, environmentally friendly, and affordable method of processing organic waste. The approach requires minimal technology and low operational costs, making it highly accessible for community implementation. In addition to accelerating the decomposition of organic waste, harvested BSF larvae also provide economic value as livestock feed and organic fertilizer.
The program was implemented by a PLK student team led by Andhika Ravael Milano, together with Candra Dimas Saputra, Khaila Akasyah Nurfuadah Al Pahri, Erika Andaresta, Olivia Rena Hanavi, Calista Putri Zabrina, Cut Hanifah Astria, Zahwa Aulia Rahma, Naya Ramadina, and Figra Alensy.
The project involved several stages, including community needs assessment, the design and construction of maggot farming facilities, installation of the rearing units at locations agreed upon with local residents, technical assistance, and the official handover of the program to the community.
The maggot cultivation units were established within the residential area to enable efficient processing of household organic waste while allowing residents to monitor and manage the system easily. Throughout the implementation, the students actively involved residents of Pandan Wetan Hamlet, ensuring that the community would not only benefit from the project but also acquire the knowledge and skills needed to operate the maggot farming system independently after the PLK program concluded.
According to Andhika Ravael Milano, the project leader, the Eco Point initiative aims to foster greater public awareness of responsible organic waste management while promoting practical and sustainable environmental solutions.
"Through the Eco Point program, we hope to help the community not only reduce organic waste in their surroundings but also realize that household waste can be transformed into something useful and economically valuable," he explained.
He added that environmental problems cannot be solved through concern alone but require consistent collective action and sustainable daily practices.
The initiative received a positive response from local residents. One community member, Alex, explained that the maggot cultivation system had significantly helped manage organic waste generated by his food business.
"The maggots are very beneficial for my food business because organic waste from my daily operations used to be discarded without being utilized," he said.
Through this initiative, the UNY students hope that the residents of Pandan Wetan will continue operating the maggot farming system independently, contributing to more sustainable organic waste management across the village. The program is also expected to raise public awareness of environmental conservation while creating opportunities to convert household waste into products with economic value.
The Eco Point initiative supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by creating opportunities for income generation through maggot cultivation, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting cleaner and healthier living environments, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through sustainable household waste management and environmentally responsible resource utilization.
