Benefits of Eco-Enzymes and How to Make Them Easily at Home

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The household sector is one of the major contributors of organic waste. The waste produced includes fruit peels, vegetable pieces, eggshells, and so on.

Fortunately, you can process the organic waste into an eco-enzyme. As a result, the waste can be beneficial to the environment. Then, what are the benefits of eco-enzymes, and how do you make them? Check out the following information!

An Overview of Eco-Enzyme

Eco-enzyme is an organic waste fermented liquid formed naturally. In general, you can create an eco-enzyme from rainwater, air conditioner water, vegetable waste or fruit waste, and sugar.

Eco-enzyme was found by Dr. Rosukon Poompanvong, the founder of Thailand’s Organic Agricultural Association. Next, this fermented liquid was widely distributed by Dr. Joean Oon, a researcher from Malaysia.

This fermented liquid contains probiotics, which are good for skin health. Moreover, eco-enzyme is also used for pesticides and cleaning liquids. Since it is made of organic waste, this liquid is more environmentally friendly and does not harm the environment. When the liquid is out, you can turn the lees into organic fertilizers.

Then, why is eco-enzyme crucial? According to Bappenas’ report, in 2021, about 70% of waste in the landfills was organic waste. Thus, we must process organic waste wisely to prevent it from accumulating, one of which is by turning it into an eco-enzyme.

Benefits of Eco-Enzyme

By creating an eco-enzyme, you can process organic waste easily at home. Below are the benefits of eco-enzyme you should know:

1. Natural Pesticide

The first benefit of eco-enzyme is becoming a natural pesticide or pest control. In addition, this fermented liquid can also control insects at home, such as flies, ants, and cockroaches.

To make liquid pesticide from eco-enzyme, you can mix 15 ml of eco-enzyme liquid with 500 ml of water. Then, pour the liquid into a spray bottle and shake it until it is completely mixed. After that, you can spray it into corners where insects usually appear, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

2. Multipurpose Cleaning Liquid

In addition to being used as a pesticide, this fermented liquid is used to clean various things, from clothes to food. The fermentation process of the eco-enzyme produces alcohol and acetic acid, allowing it to work like a natural disinfectant, and it is used to tackle bacteria. You can dissolve the eco-enzyme with enough water every time you want to wash something.

Yet, this liquid is safe for only seven days because after that, bacteria can grow in the liquid and break the cleaning function. Then, if you want to use eco-enzyme liquid as a household cleaner, you can mix water with fermented liquid in a 1:1 ratio and spray it on the walls, tables, floors, and so on.

3. Environmental Conservation

The next benefit of the eco-enzyme is environmental preservation. The fermentation process of this liquid from organic waste produces several compounds that are safe for the environment. Unlike chemical pesticides and cleaning liquids that can pollute water and soil, eco-enzyme solutions are more eco-friendly because they are made from organic waste.

4. Plant Fertilizer

This fermented liquid can be an organic fertilizer thanks to the organic compounds produced during the fermentation process. The nutrients from organic waste can fertilize plants. Moreover, the eco-enzyme liquid can handle pests and make the plant healthier.

However, it is important to note that the eco-enzyme liquid must be mixed with water when you want to use it as a fertilizer because this liquid is acidic. If you pour it directly on the plant without mixing it with water beforehand, the plant roots can be damaged and the growth is disrupted.

How to Make Eco-Enzyme

No need to be worried about looking for the eco-enzyme in the market because you can make it easily and practically at home! Before making it, make sure you have prepared the tools and materials for making the eco-enzyme, such as:

Organic wastes (fruit peel, vegetable slices, and many more).
Clean water (gallon water, AC water, rainwater, tap water, or others).
Sugar (palm sugar, dry molasses, or brown sugar).
Containers.

To make an eco-enzyme, you can follow these steps:

Prepare an airtight storage container. You can use a plastic bottle or a good old gallon.
Mix sugar and water in the container. You can use the 1:10 ratio. For example, if you use 100 grams of sugar, you can mix it with 1 liter of clean water.
Cut the organic waste into pieces, then put them into the sugar-water solution in the container. You can add fresh-scented fruits or leaves, such as pandan leaves and orange peels.
Stir or shake slightly to mix the sugar solution and organic waste.
To prevent the fermentation gas from being trapped and causing damage to the container, open the lid slightly. Then, you can close it tightly. Make sure to loosen the lid occasionally to let the gas out and reduce the air pressure.
Store the eco-enzyme at room temperature (25–30 degrees Celsius) and in a dark room. Let the fermentation process last for approximately 3 months.
After the fermentation process is complete, you can strain the liquid and separate it from the lees.
Quality eco-enzyme liquid has a strong, sweet, and sour aroma and is dark brown.

That is the information about the benefits of eco-enzymes and how to make them practically. This fermented liquid has many uses, such as pest control and multipurpose soap.

Most importantly, eco-enzymes are believed to be more eco-friendly than chemical pesticides and cleaners because they contain organic materials safe for the environment. Since it is organic waste, this liquid is also safe for humans.

Utilizing eco-enzymes can be one of the efforts to implement a simple, sustainable lifestyle. If you want to contribute to the environment with other simple steps, you can join Indonesia Asri.

As a Warga Asri, you can participate in exciting programs and challenges, one of which is #SiPalingSustainable. #SiPalingSustainable can help you lead an environmentally friendly lifestyle and create a greener environment.