Outstanding Achievement: Tris Flower Transforms Plastic Waste into a World-Class Recycling Tourism Centre

 

SURABAYA – Starting from the initiative of local environmental activists, the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Tris Flower in Jambangan, Surabaya, has now transformed into a Craft Centre and even an internationally recognised educational recycling tourist attraction. Established in 2006, this SME, founded by husband and wife Sutrisno and Lusiani Sutrisno (Mrs Tris), proves that dedication to the environment can yield remarkable achievements, from the Kalpataru award to national competency certification.

The origins of Tris Flower trace back to the Jambangan Surabaya Recycling Initiative in 2007, driven by local environmental activists. This movement quickly yielded tangible results when senior environmental activists from Jambangan received the Kalpataru Award from President SBY in 2008.

In 2010, this recycling movement evolved into an official business unit and was introduced under the name Tris Flower as a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME).

“Our journey has been a long one. Initially, we just wanted our environment to be clean,” said Sutrisno, owner of Tris Flower. “But then, we thought about how to ensure that this waste was not only clean, but also provided added value. That is the philosophy behind the name Tris Flower.”

To date, Tris Flower has grown into a more professional business with ten employees involved in the production process. The raw materials used are entirely sourced from community empowerment initiatives, namely from local residents, dry waste collectors, the nearest waste bank, laundries, and BSIS. All plastic and textile waste is selected and processed into unique crafts such as bags, clothes, plastic flowers, and high-value souvenirs.

Since 2014, Tris Flower's achievements have continued to rise sharply. On 2 March 2014, Mrs Lusiani Sutrisno (Mrs Tris) received an Award Certificate from the then Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Mr Dahlan Iskan. The peak of recognition came in 2015 when the Surabaya City Trade and Industry Agency appointed Tris Flower as the Surabaya Jambangan Recycling Craft Centre.

In the same year, on 6–7 November 2015, this centre was approved as a Recycling Tourist Attraction by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism. The quality of its management has also been recognised globally, as evidenced by visits from delegations from 10 countries (February 2015) and 13 countries (January 2016) through collaboration with ITS.

“We are very proud that our handicrafts made from used bottles and plastic waste can be seen by guests from various countries,” said Mrs. Lusiani Sutrisno. “They come not only to buy, but also to learn about the community empowerment and environmental management systems that we implement here.”

The personal achievements of the managers complement the institution's accomplishments. On 1 December 2015, Sutrisno received a Certificate of Competence from the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP), signifying official recognition of her expertise.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Lusiani Sutrisno's dedication as a manager was recognised again on 30 November 2017, when she received the Kalpataru award at the Surabaya City level.

“Awards are not the main goal, but proof that our consistency in managing the environment and empowering residents, especially mothers, has borne fruit. We hope Tris Flower will continue to be an inspiration for other regions in Indonesia,” concluded Mrs. Lusiana.