Many regions in Indonesia are currently facing serious challenges in waste management. According to data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), the country generates 33.9 million tons of waste annually, more than 50 percent of which comes from household organic waste. Without proper management, organic waste produces methane gas, which has a far greater impact on global warming than carbon dioxide.
To address this issue, a team of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) students has developed an innovative solution called WormiBox, an Internet of Things (IoT)-based earthworm cultivation device that converts organic waste into economically valuable fertilizer.
The project was developed through the 2025 Student Creativity Program for Entrepreneurship (PKM-K) as a tangible contribution from UGM students to sustainable environmental management.
Team leader Azkal Anas Ilmawan (Nuclear Engineering) explained that WormiBox aims to promote community independence in managing organic waste.
“Household waste continues to increase, while centralized waste management facilities are becoming more limited. WormiBox allows people to manage their own waste while producing useful by-products,” said Ilmawan on Monday (Oct. 13).
He added that WormiBox integrates IoT technology to support real-time monitoring.
“The data output from our device can later be accessed directly via smartphone or website, allowing users to log in and monitor the process in real time,” he explained.
The team comprises students from various disciplines: Fikriansyah Ridwan Pratama (Physics Engineering), Vidhyazputri Belva Aqila (Accounting), Maulana Iqbal Pambudi (Animal Science and Industry), and Maureen Arsa Sanda Cantika (Geographic Information Systems).
Under the supervision of Dr. Nur Abdillah Siddiq from the Faculty of Engineering (FT UGM), the team collaborated by combining expertise in technology, management, and marketing to produce a sustainable product.
WormiBox operates by automatically monitoring environmental conditions to maintain optimal temperature and humidity, thereby enhancing earthworm productivity in decomposing organic waste.
This process allows decomposition to occur more efficiently, producing liquid organic fertilizer that can be reused by households.
Team member Maulana Iqbal Pambudi mentioned that WormiBox also generates valuable by-products such as liquid organic fertilizer and vermicompost (known locally as kascing).
“Consumers benefit not only from decomposing household waste but also from the resulting fertilizer products that can support their home gardening,” he said.
WormiBox is marketed at IDR 699,999 and targets earthworm farmers, homemakers, and environmentally conscious communities promoting eco-friendly lifestyles.
Through WormiBox, UGM students demonstrate how simple, technology-based innovations can play a vital role in addressing environmental issues.
The innovation is expected to inspire younger generations to continue creating creative and sustainable solutions for the planet’s future.
Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Donnie Trisfian