Yayasan Kaki Kita Se-Nusantara uses plastic waste for prosthetic legs

Indonesia's Environment Minister, Jumhur Hidayat, has expressed support for an initiative by the Yayasan Kaki Kita Se-Nusantara (YKKS) foundation that utilizes plastic waste to manufacture prosthetic legs for people with disabilities.

During a meeting in Denpasar, Bali, YKKS representatives showcased two prosthetic leg prototypes. One is constructed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottle caps, while the other uses a blend of multilayer plastics and HDPE. According to YKKS Chairman Made Adhitiasthana, approximately five kilograms of plastic waste are required to produce a single prosthetic leg, with the material's natural colors creating unique patterns on each limb.

Putu Ivan Yunatana, Chairperson of the YKKS Board of Trustees, noted that the project transforms environmental pollutants into products with social and economic value. The foundation aims to assist underprivileged individuals and has already distributed prosthetic limbs to beneficiaries in Bali, Lombok, and Palu through corporate social responsibility programs and public donations.