Globally, about one-third of all food produced ends up as waste, according to United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This amounts to roughly 1.3 billion tons of fruits, vegetables, meat, and other products discarded in various places like hotels, grocery stores, restaurants, cafes, or residential kitchens, or sometimes never even leaving the farm.

Food waste isn't just a social or humanitarian issue, it's also an environmental concern. When we waste food, we're also wasting the water and energy used to cultivate, harvest, transport, and package it. Moreover, food waste that decomposes in landfills emits methane, a greenhouse gas even more potent than carbon dioxide.

According to the UNEP, eliminating food waste could save between six to eight percent of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

In Indonesia, a cafe is tackling this issue by turning food waste into something beneficial: soap.

Located in Jakarta, Acaraki offers Jamu, a traditional Javanese drink believed by Indonesians to have health benefits. At this cafe, they make Jamu using ingredients like ginger, turmeric, tamarind, and other herbs. Instead of discarding the leftover bits, they turn them into soap.

According to store supervisor Ridho Putra Gunawan, Acaraki has been focusing on reducing food waste since its establishment in 2018. The idea stemmed from four years of research and planning. Ridho shared that the owner, driven by the philosophy of utilizing available resources creatively, was eager for innovation, hence the creation of soap from food waste.

"Because the owner had a quote like, 'We don't have any choices on what we have as a creation, but we can choose what we will do with the creation,' we are eager for innovation," Ridho said. "It's a win-win situation. We're reducing food waste and creating something useful out of it." 

Their turmeric soap, for instance, offers potential skin benefits. It may contribute to clearer skin, brightening complexions, and reducing uneven tones. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric and ginger in the soap can accelerate wound healing by soothing redness and reducing swelling.

Additionally, all ingredients in their products come either from their farm or local farmers, supporting the grassroots economy.

So, next time you're in Indonesia, consider visiting Acaraki. Enjoy a refreshing glass of Jamu while feeling good about their efforts to reduce food waste.