ASIATODAY.ID, BALI – Composting methods with various innovations have developed and become one way of managing waste or waste in multiple countries. The practice of composting in Bali has been used by residents for centuries with the term commonly called “berekan”. Berekan in Balinese means the result of decomposition or decomposition, namely in the form of compost. The composting process is usually called “merekin” which in Balinese means to decompose. The making of berekan is generally done in the back yard of the house or on the moor, by making a hole to store rubbish or waste.
Berekan is made by putting a mixture of waste, such as food scraps, vegetable scraps, and agricultural waste, into an open pit. The pit is then covered with a layer of soil and water is poured over it. The mixture is then left for several months, during which time the waste will decompose and produce nutrient-rich decomposition products. The decomposition product, called berekan, is very rich in nutrients and can be used as a natural fertilizer for plants. It is an environmentally friendly and sustainable way to manage waste and improve soil quality in the garden. Despite the rise of modern farming practices, the berekan method remains a sustainable and effective way to recycle organic waste while improving soil fertility.
The method of making berekan by burying waste or organic matter in a pit is similar to the Bangalore method of composting. Composting with this method allows the compost material to remain in the pit without turning and watering for three months. During this period, the material settles down due to the reduction in biomass volume and the addition of feces and waste placed on top of the previous layer, which will then be covered with mud or soil to prevent moisture loss and fly breeding. Ayilara and colleagues in an article entitled Waste management through composting: Challenges and potentials, published in the journal Sustainability in 2020 mentioned that this type of composting takes about six to eight months to get the finished product.
Another method used in making berekan is by piling rubbish on the ground. This method is considered easier as there is no need to make holes. The waste continues to be piled at a certain height and then covered with leaves. Covering with leaves is done to maintain moisture so that the decomposition process can run smoothly. The problem is that the pile or pile of compost material is prone to being disturbed by animals, thus disrupting the decomposition process.
When the decomposition process is considered mature, the results of the decomposition will then be directly spread on the soil during tillage as a basic fertilizer. This method is similar to the Berkeley method by piling up compost materials. The difference is that in the berekan-making system, there is no chopping of materials, while in the Berkeley method, the compost material must be chopped. According to Atchley in an article entitled ‘Hot Composting with the Berkeley Method’ published in 2013, the material is cut into small pieces with a material size between ½ to 1 ½ inches, because the smaller size of the chopped material provides an opportunity for microbes to more easily decompose cellulose and the composting process becomes faster.
One of the main advantages of the berekan method is that it is sustainable and self-sustainable. By recycling organic waste materials, this traditional practice helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, thereby minimizing the impact on the environment. In addition, the nutrient-rich compost produced through Berrekan can improve soil structure, enhance water retention, and promote plant growth, thus making it a valuable resource for sustainable agriculture.
Berekan has several advantages over modern composting methods, one of which is that it does not use artificial chemicals or advanced technology, making it more environmentally friendly. Berekan is easy to do by anyone, without the need for special skills. It is not costly, as it utilizes locally available natural resources. Pressing on the other hand helps reduce the amount of organic waste disposed of in landfills, thus contributing to environmental conservation.
Although berekan making offers many benefits, it also faces challenges along with the development of tourism in Bali. Berekan making is starting to be abandoned due to the rapid land conversion that is occurring. Land conversion for housing and tourism facilities means that Balinese people no longer have moorland and open space for berekan making. Housing or settlement development also tends to be without open space, this is due to the increasingly expensive land prices in Bali. The yard of the house is generally taped or cemented, making it impossible to make a hole for making berekan.
The commercialization of waste management has made Balinese people, especially in urban areas, increasingly reluctant to manage their waste. The ease of waste management has led to the abandonment of local wisdom in the concept of berekan. The most important thing is that the waste generated is immediately disposed of and does not cause problems at home. Although for the service of transporting and disposing of the waste must pay Rp. 15,000 – Rp. 45,000, per month. Changing perceptions in waste management for the reason that it is more practical and easier causes the concept of berekan to no longer be implemented.
The change in food consumption patterns from home-cooked food to packaged food is one of the factors that has led to the abandonment of berekan making. Consumption of packaged food generates plastic or inorganic waste that cannot be processed by making berekan or compost. Consumption of packaged food is often not accompanied by awareness of the environmental impact. People tend not to think about the waste generated from plastic packaging or cans. The dominance of plastic food wrappers, which are commonly used in packaged food, makes people even lazy to process the waste generated and prefer to throw it away or hand it over to the waste management officer.
The next challenge is that berekan is recognized by the younger generation as a term meaning decaying material and not as a local wisdom of waste management starting from the household level. The young generation of Bali today is more fluent in Indonesian and English than in Balinese. The understanding of the mother tongue also affects the understanding of the concepts of local wisdom in living in harmony with the surrounding nature. The younger generation in Bali is more likely to understand modern concepts than local wisdom concepts that are adaptive to the conditions in their neighborhood.
The lack of education has led to many people not knowing about the benefits of berekan and how to make it properly. Socialization and education efforts are important to introduce the concept of berekan to the next generation. Making the concept of berekan part of the learning material in schools can help preserve this tradition and foster environmental awareness among the younger generation. Preserving Berekan means preserving Balinese culture and local wisdom, as well as contributing to environmental conservation. With joint efforts, this tradition can continue to be practiced and provide benefits to the community and the environment.
Making berekan can be a form of zero-waste implementation that can be done from the household level. Zero waste itself is a concept that aims to maximize the use of materials so that no resources are wasted. The concept of zero waste can also be interpreted as a form of responsibility for waste producers to process the waste produced so that it does not hurt the environment. Organic waste is the largest contributor to household waste, reaching 40-60%. Making berekan from organic waste, such as food waste, fruit and vegetable peels, dried leaves, and grass clippings, can reduce the volume of waste disposed of in landfills.
Berekan making is a process of converting organic waste into nutrient-rich soil that can be used to improve soil health and promote plant growth. It is a form of public awareness of the importance of material cycling as it promotes natural nutrient cycling and reduces waste in landfills. Scraping can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, which can help mitigate climate change. By promoting natural nutrient cycling and reducing waste, composting can help promote a sustainable and healthy material cycle.
The cycle of matter is the process by which matter is transferred from one form to another through various biological and chemical processes. This includes nutrient cycling, where nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and carbon are transferred between living organisms, soil, and the atmosphere through processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition. The cycle of matter is important in efforts to preserve the environment as it promotes ecosystem balance and ensures that natural resources are used sustainably. For example, the nitrogen cycle is important for plant growth, but it can also be a source of air pollution if not properly controlled. By understanding and managing the cycles of matter, we can work to ensure that natural resources are used sustainably and do not harm the environment. It can also help reduce waste and pollution, as well as promote the use of renewable energy and other sustainable practices. Overall, the material cycle is an important part of preserving the environment and ensuring that natural resources are used sustainably and do not harm the environment.
The Balinese local wisdom of making berekan, when linked to modern economics, becomes a form of implementation of the circular economy as it promotes natural nutrient cycling and reduces waste in landfills. Promoting natural nutrient cycling and reducing waste, the berekan concept can help promote sustainable and healthy material cycling, which is an important part of the circular economy. Overall, the implementation of berekan making is a useful form of implementation of the circular economy as it promotes natural nutrient cycling, reduces waste, and conserves natural resources. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in an article titled ‘Circular economy and health: opportunities and risks’ published in 2018, the circular economy offers the concept of a path to sustainable growth, good health, and decent work while saving the environment and its natural resources.
The implementation of berekan when viewed from the economic side of development is one of the important efforts in realising a green economy. The green economy is an economic concept that focuses on sustainable development by minimizing negative impacts on the environment. The implementation of berekan in various sectors, ranging from households, and communities, to industries, can make a significant contribution to realizing a green economy. In the past, likely, the making of berekan by Balinese people was only limited to efforts to reduce waste. Scientifically, the concept of berekan has a variety of benefits, meaning that Balinese people have been practicing living in harmony with nature since long ago. This is also a sign that Balinese people have known the technology and innovation of composting organic materials for centuries but in the term berekan.
Follow Us at Google News and WA Channel