The PKMK UNIPMA Madiun Team Develops Vermibox into an Internet of Things (IoT) Integrated Vermikomposter Innovation Product 

The more the human population increases, the more waste is generated. Garbage that can't be processed, of course, causes hoarding in Final Disposal Sites (TPA). So is the case with disturbing plastic waste. This has already happened in Indonesia. Data for 2020 recorded that in 2020 there were 67.8 million tons of waste in Indonesia (Kurniawan and Santoso, 2020). National data in 2018 shows that 62 percent of waste in this country is generated from domestic waste or waste from household activities. Referring to the Indonesian Environmental Statistics data released by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), so far only 1.2 percent of households have recycled their waste.

UNIPMA's PKM-K team developed the vermibox product. Vermibox is a vermicomposter box innovation product that functions to convert organic waste into compost. Vermicomposter is commonly used in landfills (TPA). Through Vermibox's innovation, the composting process of organic waste can be done at home, even in a kitchen with a limited space. The community can start processing waste from the household scale (Marwati, 2013). Vermibox applies ANC Worms and an Internet of Things (IoT) based microcontroller.

In terms of market share, this product has not been widely developed in Madiun. The PKMK team looks at the market share, there is no similar product on the market yet. The results of interviews with PKK women respondents showed that this product was very potential and feasible to be developed. People need this product for waste management at home. The manufacture of this product is supported by a PKMK team who has competence in this field. The selling price is affordable and comes from safe materials, making this product a modern business start-up. The target market that will be targeted is not only mothers, teenagers but also can be used in various age groups to process waste.

We use two different types of media, namely print media and electronic media, to market this vermibox product with interesting concepts. Our print media designs and makes banners, and stickers, while our electronic media uses the website as a publication medium. In addition, it utilizes e-commerce such as Shopee, Tokopedia, and Lazada.

"The advantages of this vermibox product are that it can decompose organic waste, get vermicompost fertilizer from decomposition, ANC worms can be harvested as ornamental fish feed, and add to the aesthetics of the room," said Frihat, PKMK team leader.

Vermicomposter box innovation product that functions to process organic waste. Vermicomposter is commonly used in landfills (TPA). Through Vermibox's innovation, the composting process of organic waste can be done at home, even in a kitchen with a limited space. Vermibox applies Cacing ANC as a composting agent so that households can get multiple benefits at once.

Vermibox consists of five components, namely the base box is a place for worm vermicompost, which is where the final product is in the form of vermicompost fertilizer. the holder as a support for the vermibox and where the microcontroller and battery are, then on top of the top box or the next layer is the top layer, namely the composting area, this is where the worms process organic waste. In this top layer there are temperature sensors and humidity sensors to maintain optimal temperature and humidity for worm life. There is an impermeable cover so that the smell of organic waste does not come out of the vermibox.

"I hope that in addition to being entrepreneurs, students also act as environmental activists and can set an example for the surrounding community," said Mrs. Linda Yuhanna, a lecturer accompanying PKMK UNIPMA.