From Waste to Wealth: How Ecopower Webinar 2 is Empowering Indonesia’s Youth
28 February 2025 – Waste isn’t just trash—it’s an untapped financial opportunity. At Ecopower Webinar 2, held on 28 February 2025, participants discovered that sustainability and financial opportunity go hand in hand.
As part of the Ecopower Enrichment Program, a collaboration between Solve Education! and Yayasan Allianz Peduli, supported by Allianz Global, this webinar introduced young Indonesians to financial literacy through the circular economy. By combining digital learning, mentoring, and business showcases, the program equips them with the skills to turn waste into economic opportunity.
The topic for this webinar was the circular economy—a concept that transforms waste into valuable resources. We were thrilled to learn that some participants had already started their own sustainable product ventures. One inspiring example is Huribiah, a participant with disabilities, who creates beautiful mosaics from leftover ceramic tiles. Her work even caught the attention of Ridwan Kamil, former mayor of Bandung, who purchased one of her pieces—a testament to the creativity and potential of sustainable businesses.
Transforming Waste Into Opportunity
Led by Nurtriana Rizkawati and Sekar K. Nayenggita, the webinar “Mengenal Ekonomi Sirkular: Dari Sampah Jadi Cuan” (Understanding the Circular Economy: Turning Waste into Profit) highlighted how a circular economy—where materials are continuously reused—can boost financial independence and create a cleaner environment.
Nurtriana Rizkawati is an expert in environmental communication and community empowerment, focusing on how education and behavioral shifts can lead to a more sustainable future. She has extensive experience in disaster mitigation and actively advocates for public awareness in environmental conservation.
Sekar K. Nayenggita, an academic from Satu University (a member of BINUS), has dedicated her research to waste management and sustainability, particularly in urban environments. She actively promotes responsible waste disposal habits and has personally embraced waste segregation as part of her daily routine.
Key takeaways from their session included:
Community-Based Waste Banks – Turning waste into money
Recycling & Upcycling – Exploring profitable waste management solutions
Mindset Shift – From “Throw waste in the bin” to “My waste, my responsibility”
Hands-On Learning in Breakout Sessions
Participants engaged in role-playing activities like “Peran Sirkular: Membangun Dunia Tanpa Limbah” (Circular Roles: Building a Waste-Free World), stepping into the shoes of:
Waste Producers – Reducing their footprint
Recycling Business Owners – Creating profitable solutions
Government Officials – Shaping sustainability policies
Eco-Friendly Designers – Innovating green products
Creative solutions included composting organic waste, upcycling plastic into new products, and incentivizing waste sorting.
What Participants Had to Say
The impact of the session was evident in the participants’ reflections:
“Baik, menambah pengetahuan tentang pengelolaan sampah.” (Great, it expanded my knowledge on waste management!) – Yati Suryati Dinata
“Saya jadi belajar lebih banyak untuk pengolahan sampah agar menjadi punya nilai jual.” (I learned more about processing waste into something valuable!) – Muhammad Arifin
“Jadi mengetahui bahwa sampah organik maupun anorganik di sekitar sangat berguna untuk kelangsungan hidup dan bermanfaat.” (I now realize that both organic and inorganic waste around us can be useful and beneficial for life!) – Fatima Azzahra Nurianti
Beyond the Webinar: Building a Sustainable Future Together
This webinar was more than a discussion—it was a launchpad for young changemakers. By equipping youth with financial literacy and sustainability skills, we are not just teaching them about waste management; we are giving them tools to shape their economic futures. With your support—through mentorship, collaboration, or partnership—we can amplify this impact. Let’s empower the next generation to turn waste into wealth and learning into lasting change.