Pertamina University researchers developed a prototype of a textile industry waste treatment tool using absorption and coagulation techniques that can reduce the turbidity of wastewater.

The head of the research team, Miss Merry Merpati Mitan, said that the waste treatment technique is an effective method that is easy to use by household-scale batik craftsmen.

"The waste treatment equipment available in the market is very expensive. We hope that this innovation will continue to be developed and produced to be able to help small-medium batik industry players," said Merry.

Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the number of heavily polluted rivers reaches 45 percent in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, rivers in the national capital contain 57 percent of waste and 8.2 percent of them are textile waste according to the National Geographic version.

Merry conveyed that the waste that flows along the river threatens the life of biota and is dangerous to human health, from skin diseases to the potential for cancer, if water contaminated with sewage is consumed.

In 2019, the Pertamina University research team had the opportunity to visit a household-scale batik industrial area in Tasikmalaya City, West Java.

In the field research, they interviewed several batik craftsmen who asked for textile wastewater treatment so that the batik industry could maintain water quality in the area.

Based on these findings, Pertamina University developed a prototype for processing batik liquid waste.

Education related to the dangers of batik liquid waste for the environment and health, continued Merry, also continues to be carried out to batik craftsmen to build awareness in preserving the environment.

They also work closely with the City Government of Tasikmalaya in dealing with pollution problems caused by textile waste.

"Slowly this effort can help reduce river pollution in Indonesia," said Merry.

The researchers also involved their students in making prototypes of waste treatment equipment, one of which was Desi Fitriana who studied Chemistry at Pertamina University.

"We can directly practice the learning we get in class and the practicum that we routinely do in the laboratory. In addition to increasing our understanding, we will also be more prepared to enter the industry after graduation," said Desi.