Innovations to create new things by utilizing waste continue to emerge. In the city of Semarang, Central Java, foliage waste is being used to make various creative crafts.
In the hands of Professor Amin Retnoningsih, leaf waste is transformed into various handicrafts, to face paintings. One price reaches millions of rupiah.
Rasenndriya Kroya Tulang Daun, name of the product, or known as leaf bone. The best-selling product on the market is leaf painting, and it has become one of the small and medium scale micro-enterprises that continues to grow. Bank Mandiri even helped facilitate this business to grow bigger.
“Bone Leaves are now available for sale at blanja.com. Almost every day we fulfill market demand both nationally and internationally,” said Professor Amin Retnoninsih, the initiator of Leaf Bone innovation.
To help create leaf bones, Amin was assisted by educators at Semarang State University, and art students. Amin himself is one of the professors at the campus.
Even though she has a professor title, his business spirit does not die. She continued to become an entrepreneur by building a leaf bone, or utilizing leaf waste scattered on his campus as a craft.
“This leaf painting has been marketed throughout the continent. Leaf bones are souvenirs, for kits at international seminars. Paintings can also make a husband’s birthday gift, for graduation and so on, “She said.
How to make leaf bones is very simple. The leaf waste has been then boiled. Every boiled leaf will produce a leaf bone.
“Boiling must be done with a non-aluminum pan, and using a small size fire,” She said.
After boiling, then the leaf meat is removed by brushing with a brush or rinsed with running water. After the leaf bone is visible, then bleach, and soaking is done. After that, the leaf bone is drained on a tray, newspaper. Leaf bones do not need to be dried in the hot sun.
“After drying, please try. “It becomes like cloth, not torn, and stronger than the earlier leaves,” She said.
The leaf bones are then given natural batik coloring. Leaves are environmentally friendly because they absorb color. Each leaf bone will form its own pattern. After being made, leaf bones were then painted by art students, to become works of art.
A number of figures from the country have been painted on leaf bones, such as Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, President Joko Widodo, and other figures. Leaf paintings are often used for souvenirs, both in official activities or informal activities.
“Good leaf bones are made by paintings, which are bad for flowers. To paint, we invite art students. So for example 1 head painting costs Rp. 450,000 to Rp. 1 million. “More than one face is different,” She said.
Amin explained, the utilization of waste around the house can generate money if managed properly.
“Many things around us can actually be money. This leaf bone has spread throughout the continent,” She concluded.