- Organic Waste Manager
Sinta's Daily Life:
Every morning at 5 AM, Sinta roams the neighborhood with her small cart. She doesn't just collect trash—she sorts it: organic, inorganic, hazardous waste. Her hands deftly separate banana peels from plastic wrappers, lifting kitchen scraps without a hint of disgust.
At a small community-run processing site, she turns organic waste into compost and liquid fertilizer. The foul smell? She's used to it. To her, it's the scent of hard work. In the afternoon, she delivers the compost to local gardens, as more and more people begin to realize how valuable this so-called "waste" really is.
Personal Conflict:
Sinta is often seen as "just a scavenger" or "garbage collector," said with a belittling tone. But she is much more than that—she understands ecosystems, knows how recycling helps maintain soil fertility, and even helps prevent floods by reducing illegal dumping.
Yet behind her smile, there's fatigue. Changing mindsets takes time, and sometimes she feels like she's fighting an upstream battle alone.
True Motivation:
In the past, her village would flood every rainy season. Rivers clogged with plastic, soil unable to absorb water. Since managing organic waste, she holds a simple dream: "I want this village's soil to be fertile again, not just a dumping ground for leftovers."
For Sinta, every bucket of compost she makes is a prayer — that her grandchildren will walk on living, breathing earth, not dead, poisoned land.
Interesting Facts:
Sinta often explains to residents: every 1 ton of recycled organic waste reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 0.25 tons of CO2. This means, no matter how small, their work helps cool the planet.
Compost also improves soil structure, boosts beneficial microorganisms, and reduces dependence on harmful chemical fertilizers.
Public Perception of Sinta & Her Work:
Neighborhood Head (Bu RT):
"At first, I thought Sinta was just picking up trash. But when she showed me vegetables grown with her compost, I was shocked. My yard's soil became fertile again. Now I even wait for her to buy her liquid fertilizer."
High School Student (Environmental Volunteer):
"Bu Sinta is amazing. She taught us how to make eco-enzyme from kitchen waste. So we're not just posting about 'saving the earth,' we're actually doing something."
Village Head (Pak Lurah):
"Economically, it's not a huge business yet, but the impact is real. This village used to be dirty and smelly, now it's cleaner. I fully support her waste bank program. Sinta is an unsung hero."
Neighbor (Skeptical Mother):
"Well, her job's close to filth. But without her, that river behind our houses would be overflowing. So even if it smells, we still need her."
(Sinta just smiles when she hears this.)
Sinta's Philosophy:
Sinta believes:
"Waste isn't the end, but a beginning. Like people, if guided with patience, it can transform into something useful."
She doesn't aim to be a hero. She simply wants the ground beneath her feet to thrive again, so children can play without fear of disease from scattered trash.
Meaningful Moment:
One afternoon, a little boy came running to her, proudly showing a thriving chili plant. "Bu Sinta, this grew from your compost!"
For Sinta, that child's smile is far more rewarding than any formal award. Because in that moment, she knows: change is real, even if slow.