By reusing household organic waste, pollution can be prevented. Apart from being processed into compost, another way to use organic waste is through eco-enzyme. But what is eco enzyme and what are its benefits?

Eco enzyme may not be as popular as compost, but its benefits are more diverse. Both are made from organic waste, but compost can only be used as organic fertilizer, while eco enzyme offers even more benefits. Just before utilizing its benefits, learn first what eco enzyme is and how to make it.

What are Eco Enzymes?

Utilizing organic waste is an important step to reuse the organic waste. As an illustration, 60% of the waste in Indonesia is organic waste. The problem is, only 7.5% is actually processed, while the rest often just piles up, and 69% ends up in landfills.

This leads to a new problem because the capacity of the landfill is limited. Disposing organic waste can trigger problems such as gas pollution that threatens the health of the environment. Processing waste into eco-enzymes is one of the most effective ways to promote environmental health.

In a simple way, eco enzyme is a versatile liquid that is fermented from organic material. Because they are made from organic waste, eco enzymes are often called 'waste enzymes'.

Eco enzyme is often used as a liquid disinfectant because it contains ethanol and acetic acid, two elements that are used in cleaning fluids. These two elements are produced from bacterial metabolic processes that are naturally available in vegetables and fruits.

Fermentation, or anaerobic respiration, is carried out by bacteria to take energy from carbohydrates in conditions without oxygen. Yeasts and some types of bacteria produce alcohol and acetic acid from the microorganism activity.

In the process of producing enzymes, the results will depend on the type of organism present in the remaining fruit or vegetable. Likewise with the level of alcohol or acid produced.

The Origin of Eco Enzyme

Organic waste that is decomposed by an anaerobic process will trigger methane gas, which is the most powerful gas in retaining heat, 30 times stronger than carbon dioxide.

Methane destroys the elements in oxygen so it is dangerous when inhaled. That is why, it is important to treat organic waste before it reaches the landfill.

The idea related to eco enzyme was issued by dr. Rosukon Poomvanpong from Thailand, who is the founder of an organic farming organization. He is concerned about how much organic waste is left to rot.

The initial goal was to turn organic waste into something that offered more benefits than just being compost, such as cleaner or pesticide.

How to Make Eco Enzyme

Processing organic waste is one of the 3R principles by utilizing kitchen waste as the main raw material. As mentioned earlier, eco-enzyme is the fermentation of organic waste such as fruit and vegetables.

These two main raw materials are then mixed with water and any kind of sugar, but it would be much better if you use more fruit peels, such as orange peels. All raw materials are mixed and then placed in a closed container for several days.

The results of eco-enzyme fermentation have a color that tends to be brown with a fairly strong scent, especially if you are new to fermentation. Eco enzyme will convert ammonia into nitric acid (NO3) which is a type of nutrients and hormones that trees need.

Besides nitric acid, eco enzyme provides carbonate (CO3) through carbon dioxide absorption. These compounds are important for marine ecosystems such as aquatic plants and animals.

Benefits of Eco Enzyme

Eco enzyme is a multifunctional liquid that can be used in various industries such as livestock, agriculture, and even households. Other benefits are as a cleaning fluid, insect repellent, fertilizer, pesticide, and many others.

1. Cleaning Liquid

Most commercial cleaning fluids contain harmful chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia, nitrates, phosphates, and others. The effect is clearly harmful to the environment.

Eco enzyme can be used as a substitute for detergent, but without foam. As a cleaning fluid, eco enzyme is mixed with water and then used to wash clothes, vegetables, fruit, even the house.

2. Disinfectant

Fermentation produces alcohol and high acid compounds, that's why eco enzyme is often used as a natural disinfectant.

3. Protecting the Environment

Eco enzymes can contribute directly to protect the environment, especially for water ecosystems. To clean polluted water, 1 liter of eco enzyme is claimed to be able to improve water quality up to 1,000 liters.

Eco enzymes are also useful in reducing carbon in the atmosphere which causes the temperature to rise. Reduced carbon, means reduced global warming.

4.Fertilizer and Pesticide

If you have a garden, use eco enzyme as a natural fertilizer or pesticide. Similar to compost, but eco enzyme is able to fertilize the soil faster, eliminate pests, and strengthen the taste of fruit or vegetables. Eco enzymes are useful for accelerating the chemical reactions that naturally occur quite slowly.

5. Insect Repellent

In addition to being effective at repelling pests, eco enzyme is also effective at repelling insects or other small animals such as mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and others. To do this, mix eco enzyme with water then spray it on the desired area.