Maintaining Healthy Skin and Nature, Towards a Low Emission Area
In 2018 – 2020, the Wisnu Foundation implemented the Village Potential Optimization program in Protecting the Environment and Developing Alternative Businesses through Natural Soap Products, in collaboration with PUPUK Bandung through Local Entrepreneurship Development Program (LEDPro). DWE Natural Soap (Tokopedia: DWE Natural) is a product resulting from the activities carried out, developed as a business unit of the Wisnu Foundation in an effort towards institutional independence.
DWE Natural invites people to care for themselves and the earth. The main ingredient in DWE natural soap is coconut oil, combined with various types of leaves, flowers, fruit and spices, without preservatives and synthetic dyes. The choice to use natural ingredients is aimed at maintaining health, both skin health and natural/environmental health – especially water and soil. Apart from that, to reduce packaging waste, DWE natural soap is packaged in used paper which has been processed into recycled paper.
In March – May 2024, with support from Diageo Indonesia, Wisnu introduced DWE natural soap and how to make it, to women groups (PKK) in Sanur and Legian.
- Sanur Subdistrict, March 27 2024, attended by 41 people
- Banjar Tanjung in Sanur Kauh Village, April 5 2024, attended by 47 people
- Banjar Langon in Sanur Kaja Village, April 7 2024, attended by 44 people
- Legian Subdistrict, May 9 2024, attended by 32 people
When practicing making soap, participants are divided into 4-5 groups consisting of 8-10 people. Each group makes a different variant. The soap variants made are cinnamon soap, coffee-honey soap, nutmeg soap, bangle soap, as well as papaya soap and jicama soap. DWE natural soap itself produces 18 soap variants, including clove – orange, rice – ylang, papaya – carrot, and coffee – honey.
Simultaneously with the Natural Soap Making Training, quantitative data was also collected for the Social Impact Study in Low Emission Areas (KRE). Quantitative data collection is a continuation of the qualitative data collection that was carried out previously. The KRE study was carried out in Kuta Village and Legian Village – Badung, Sanur Village, Sanur Kaja Village, and Sanur Kauh Village – Denpasar, Ubud Village – Gianyar, and Nusa Penida – Klungkung District, in August 2023 – April 2024 in collaboration with WRI.
The study is aimed at determining the social impacts resulting from the implementation of low-emission zones and developing relevant mitigation plans for these impacts, based on changes in individual behavior and social transformation of communities. This is part of the green development agenda through accelerating the clean energy transition and the implementation of electric vehicles. The results of the study will be used to design mitigation plans through the design of institutional models and campaign strategies related to low-emission areas, especially in terms of sustainable transportation.
Natural Soap Making Training was chosen as a real form of green or environmentally friendly development, namely community participation in environmental conservation and sustainable resource use. As mentioned above, natural soap is made from natural ingredients, so it is safe for water and soil. Apart from that, DWE Natural Soap packaging is made from recycled paper which uses paper waste and is easily destroyed.
The creation of a low-emission area is indicated by low emissions from transportation equipment in one area. So walking and cycling are the main choices, and the recommended means of transportation to use are KBLBB (battery-based electric motorized vehicles) or public transportation. However, the sustainability of low-emission areas is also strongly influenced by green development practices (responsiveness to the environment, resource efficiency, and sensitivity to communities and culture), as well as low-carbon development practices (waste management, marine and coastal management, and the development of green industry and new renewable energy.