Women of Kampung SIBA: a grassroots waste management initiative
We just want to make a real difference. By finding simple ways to deal with waste, we can keep our village clean and maybe even inspire other communities to do the same. — Desi, member of the zero-waste education team in Kampung SIBA
A passion for change
Kampung SIBA, an urban village in Indonesia, demonstrates that a community-driven approach can lead to remarkable environmental change. Through their steadfast dedication, this model zero-waste community reached a significant milestone in 2023—diverting 85% of its waste from landfills.
The journey began in 2020 when Kampung SIBA was identified by the regency’s environmental agency as a key area for zero-waste initiatives. By 2022, Saifudin Efendi, a passionate village community leader, had established a dedicated team focused on zero-waste education.
Educating and engaging the community
Led primarily by women, the team provides hands-on training in waste sorting, conducts door-to-door monitoring, and advocates for reducing single-use plastics in daily life. These efforts have transformed daily habits and increased awareness about responsible waste disposal. Supported by a decree on waste segregation from the village government, the team motivates fellow citizens to take charge of waste management.
Through AKSI Brantas, these women leaders receive additional support, capacity-building opportunities, and platforms to amplify their impact beyond Kampung SIBA. Their involvement has not only advanced environmental goals but also empowered women to take on leadership roles in their community.
Innovation in waste reduction
Through the relentless efforts of the Kampung SIBA team, waste segregation has become a standard practice, with households separating organic waste, recyclables, and residual waste.
The implementation of biopori—small vertical holes drilled into the soil to enhance water absorption and compost organic waste—has further supported waste reduction efforts. These biopores allow villagers to create vertical gardens and composting kits. By 2023, the Regency’s Environmental Agency reported that Kampung SIBA successfully composted and recycled 85% of its waste, sending only 15% to the landfill.
Spreading the movement
Today, women leaders Desi and Pipit are expanding these efforts by spearheading the regional “Gresik Free From Waste Movement. “By finding simple ways to deal with waste, we can keep our village clean and maybe even inspire other communities to do the same,” Desi shares. Their mission is to inspire and empower neighboring communities to adopt waste-free practices, proving that sustainable living is both achievable and impactful.
As part of the AKSI Brantas movement, they have also launched a Refill Store and developed eco-friendly products. Desi and Pipit are the driving forces behind this initiative.
Pipit, who manages the store, shares their ambitious plans to produce composting toolkits using biopore-derived maggots and eco-enzymes, alongside plastic-reducing products sourced from women’s groups within the AKSI Brantas movement.
A model for a zero-waste future
Kampung SIBA KLASIK stands as a powerful example of how grassroots action, strong leadership, and innovative solutions can pave the way for a cleaner, greener future. As more communities embrace this model, the dream of a zero-waste world moves closer to reality.
Want to learn more about how communities are driving sustainable change in the Brantas river basin? Click below for a summary on our AKSI Brantas program, or read the full report for more inspiring stories.