From waste to treasure, this DBS Foundation grantee shows that waste management innovation can go international | Bahasa

Indonesia, 20 Mar 2025 - Although waste problem has often been thrown into the spotlight, it remains a major challenge in Indonesia. According to the SIPSN Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup (National Waste Management Information System, Ministry of Environment and Forestry), 32 million tonnes of waste were generated nationally in 2024, 40.33 percent of which or around 12.9 million tonnes were not managed properly. In fact, Indonesia leads Southeast Asia in food waste, discarding 14.73 million tonnes annually, according to UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024. Appreciating the problem, Bank DBS Indonesia has reinforced its commitment to sustainability to coincide with the momentum of Earth Hour (March 22) and Zero Waste Day (March 30). As a manifestation of this commitment,  Bank DBS Indonesia awards grants to social enterprises engaged in environmental conservation and community empowerment such as Magalarva.

Magalarva, a social enterprise that was selected as a winner of the DBS Foundation Grant Programme 2023, is committed to eliminating food waste and building a sustainable ecosystem for farmers through insect-based animal feed. Founded in 2017 by Rendria Labde and Arunee Sarasetsiri, Magalarva tackles the problem of food waste, which accounts for more than 50 percent of the total waste in Indonesia, by processing organic waste using Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae to produce high-quality animal feed, at a time when solutions that focus more on non-organic waste dominate.

Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications at PT Bank DBS Indonesia Mona Monika expressed her appreciation for Magalarva. “We believe that social enterprises like Magalarva play an important role in building a more sustainable future. Magalarva is proof that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand, creating a real impact on the environment and the community. At DBS Foundation, we believe that change is not only brought about by innovation but also by the right support to accelerate and expand its impact. Therefore, we are committed to continuing to support these social impact companies as they grow, make breakthroughs and bring wider benefits to society.”


Magalarva's Journey & Milestones


In 2023, Magalarva received a grant from DBS Foundation to expand the business and process more organic waste. One of the company’s focal points is to improve the efficiency of waste collection by implementing a neat and more effective sorting system so that more waste can be recycled and reused.


Magalarva Founder & CEO Rendria Labde said, “When we first started, we noticed that too much food waste was discarded because it was not properly segregated from non-food waste. By building a more effective system and involving more partners, we started to see change. Waste that was once considered worthless can now be a solution for the environment and a resource for the industry. Small steps like sorting waste may seem simple, but if done together, the impact can be much bigger than imagined.”


Magalarva started its operations with a processing capacity of only 60 kg of waste per day, which later grew to 6 tonnes per day. After it received a grant from DBS Foundation, it has been able to increase processing capacity by 66 percent to 10 tonnes per day, with larva production reaching 1-2 tonnes per day. In 2024, Magalarva successfully penetrated the international market by exporting 14 tonnes of animal feed to the US. This achievement is proof that sustainability-based solutions not only have a positive impact on the environment but also have promising economic potential.


Entering its third year after receiving the grant from DBS Foundation, Magalarva has established partnerships with 20 organisations from various sectors, surpassing the initial target of 12 partners. The list of partners includes Ceres, Sarirasa, Indolakto, Rekosistem, PT Arie Karya Utama (AKU), and Jangjo, as well as prestigious events such as Food & Hospitality Indonesia and the Kumparan Green Initiative Conference. These partnerships allow Magalarva to collect more food waste and process it into high-quality animal feed using BSF larvae, thereby reducing the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills.


To improve operational efficiency and expand its impact, Magalarva has built two units of waste sorting facilities in Bekasi and South Tangerang and increased the number of waste collection vehicles. The enhanced efficiency has opened up opportunities for Magalarva to reach more markets with more competitive price ranges. In this way, as sales figures increase, more waste can be processed.


The Social Impact Created by Magalarva


Besides processing waste, Magalarva also empowers communities by creating jobs and engaging local labor forces. Currently, Magalarva employs 23 women (four of them in managerial positions), 43 plant operators, and 130 waste pickers in the waste sorting ecosystem. In addition, Magalarva also gives incentives to waste pickers who sort and sell organic waste, helping them earn an additional income of around 35 percent.


Beyond the community level, Magalarva also encourages positive changes among industry partners to help them be wiser in managing food waste. One of them is The Westin Jakarta, which has updated its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by putting organic waste into drums that are replaced regularly without single-use plastics. This initiative helps reduce unmanaged waste and is in line with the sustainability programmes carried out by the government and the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI).


“Going forward, Magalarva will expand its efforts in processing more food waste, as well as establish partnerships with more industry players to popularise responsible waste management solutions and reduce the burden on landfills. At the same time, Magalarva will also continue to strengthen its international expansion after successfully exploring the markets in South Korea, Japan, and the United States,” said Rendria.


The DBS Foundation Grant Programme is an annual grant programme that supports social enterprises and social impact companies in solving social and environmental challenges. Since its launch in 2015, the programme has awarded SGD21.5 million worth of grants to 160 social enterprises in countries where DBS Bank Ltd (DBS Bank) operates. These grantees share the same 'spark' or mission as DBS Foundation in improving the welfare of vulnerable communities, especially through the three focuses of providing essential needs, fostering inclusion, and improving the quality of life for a more dignified aging society. This commitment is underpinned by one of DBS Bank's sustainability pillars, Impact Beyond Banking, to support its aspiration to be the 'Best Bank for a Better World'.


For more information about DBS Foundation, visit this page and Instagram @dbsfoundationid.

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About DBS Foundation


Established in 2014, DBS Foundation is committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact. It aims to bring hope to those with less today, so no one is left behind and we can all face the future with confidence.


In 2024, DBS committed up to SGD 1 billion dollars over the next decade to support vulnerable communities. It also pledged to contribute 1.5 million employee volunteer hours over the same period.


Together with an ecosystem of like-minded partners, DBS Foundation seeks to create impact that goes beyond banking, beyond borders, and beyond generations.


For more information, please visit: www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation.


About DBS


DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.


Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 16 consecutive years from 2009 to 2024.


DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.


Established in 1989 as part of the Singapore-based DBS Group, PT Bank DBS Indonesia (Bank DBS Indonesia) is one of the banks with the longest history in Asia. Currently operating 1 Head Office, 13 Branch Offices, 16 Assistant Offices and 4 Functional Offices and 3,011 active employees in 15 Major Cities in Indonesia, Bank DBS Indonesia provides comprehensive banking services that focus on the customer experience to 'Live more, Bank less'. We also see a purpose beyond banking and are committed to supporting our customers, employees, and the community towards a sustainable future. 


PT Bank DBS Indonesia is licensed and supervised by The Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK), and an insured member of Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS).


DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting businesses for impact: enterprises with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping underserved communities with future-ready skills and helping them to build food resilience.


With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.