Kitchen Waste Can Possibly Heal the World

From St. John Bosco Parish in Jakarta, Indonesia, comes some really good news: you can turn your kitchen waste into a powerful enzyme that can possibly  'heal the world.'

St. John Bosco Parish, Jakarta, is home to the two-year-old Bosco Eco Enzyme (BEE) community, whose members are parish priests and parishioners, religious, housewives, students, and government officials. Christians and non-Christians are all involved in making the eco enzymes - a simple act of love to save Mother Earth.

In tune with the spirit of Pope Francis' 'Laudato Si' encyclical, the parishioners of the parish supported by Salesians of Don Bosco launched the BEE  community.

In honour of their patron saint Don Bosco, the BEE is determined to improve the water quality of an 11-hectare lake located in the parish area by pouring Eco Enzyme into it. Every week, the parish collaborates with several Eco Enzyme communities and local government officials to pour 250 litres of Eco Enzyme.

"The BEE community movement is a form of concrete action to respond to the call of ecological conversion, especially in the efforts of saving the Earth. So, the BEE community members have been fermenting organic waste from their homes for the past two years," says Father Andre Delimarta, SDB, the moving force behind BEE.

The community has delivered Eco Enzyme to purify water and air to places affected by natural disasters like the Earthquake in Samarinda (2021) and Kudus city, the 'black zone' of Covid-19.

They have also conducted various webinars and lectures sharing information about the making and the benefits of Eco Enzyme.

What is an eco-enzyme?

Eco enzyme is a multipurpose liquid produced from the fermentation of organic waste. Some of the functions of this product include mopping liquid, kitchen cleaner, fruit and vegetable cleaner, insect repellent and plant fertilizer. It can also be used as a natural water and air purifier.

The liquid that comes from the fermentation of organic waste, like fruit peels or pieces of raw vegetables, mixed with molasses or palm sugar, cane sugar or brown sugar has a million benefits.

Some of the benefits include a natural household cleanser; it can also be used to treat various wounds and improve air and water quality.

 Fermenting the organic waste into the beneficial enzymes will take about three months.

A movement of Faith and a Blessing

"Pope Francis in his encyclical “Laudato Si” emphasized the Church as a movement of faith; that Christian faith must be actualized in real action. The encyclical also called for ecological conversion which is interpreted as an attitude of faith that is willing to care and respect every creation, for the good of the creation in its dignity and worth, as well as for the sake of living together" says Father Andre.

Production of the eco enzyme is another way to reduce earth pollution is by reducing organic waste. It is said that organic waste can be decomposed in nature. While this claim is true to some extent, but an excessive amount of organic waste that is not managed correctly will only bring disaster to the earth and its living being.

"But, the good news is that organic waste from the kitchen can be a blessing. It comes in the form of Eco Enzyme," says the Salesian Priest. Thus, everyone, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or status is invited to become a blessing, not only for the present time but also for the future of our children and grandchildren, he says.