RRI.CO.ID, Cimahi - The Cimahi city administration in West Java is encouraging residents to adopt a zero-food-waste lifestyle as part of efforts to reduce daily waste volumes.

The initiative -- considered crucial, as the city produces around 250 tons of waste each day -- was introduced through the Masak Hepi (Happy Cooking) program, which educates residents on food management and nutrition.

The initiative is also part of the broader zero-waste kitchen movement, involving various community groups to encourage sustainable practices at the household level.

“We are collaborating with multiple stakeholders on cooking activities and food education to prevent potential waste,” Cimahi Deputy Mayor Adhitia Yudhistira said in a statement on Wednesday, April 23, 2026.

Adhitia noted that food waste remains a significant contributor to Cimahi’s overall waste composition, even though many discarded food items are still suitable for consumption and contain valuable nutrients.

"Instead of being thrown away, we encourage proper processing through education, starting from shopping habits to the use of leftovers,” he said.

During the program, participants learned about a zero-waste kitchen by using leftover ingredients. The practice is expected to foster new, environmentally friendly habits at the household level.

Adhitia added that if the concept is widely adopted, the volume of waste sent to the Sarimukti landfill could be significantly reduced, bringing the city closer to its zero-waste target.

“If implemented in every household, the amount of waste disposed of at the landfill will decrease further,” he said. (Lasti Martina/Sri Wahyuni)