In the western part of Kalimantan, Indonesia, there’s a small city called Singkawang, often known as the City of a Thousand Temples. The city is famous for its vibrant culture and harmony among its people, but lately it’s been making headlines for something new: a unique way of creating batik from waste.

This beautiful idea comes from the community of Desa Sejahtera Astra (DSA) Singkawang, a village program that empowers locals to build a sustainable economy through creativity, tradition, and care for the environment.

A Creative Way to Empower Villages

Back in 2021, three villages—Cisadane, Kuale Nelayan, and Sedau—joined the DSA program. The goal was simple but powerful: to help villages become more independent and competitive while preserving their local culture.

Through this initiative, the people of Singkawang began to experiment with new methods of producing batik. Instead of using harmful synthetic dyes, they turned to materials most people would consider trash. They discovered that things like squid ink, coffee grounds, and fallen Ketapang leaves could be transformed into beautiful, natural dyes. And that’s how Batik Singkawang was born.

Finding Color in Everyday Waste

At first, many people were surprised by the idea of making batik from waste. But the residents of DSA Singkawang proved that what we call “waste” can still hold so much potential. They carefully studied the pigments found in natural materials and developed ways to use them safely and effectively.

Squid ink became their source of deep, rich black. Normally discarded by local fishermen during the process of drying squid, the ink turned out to be a powerful natural dye. Its color is strong and long-lasting, perfect for the fine patterns of batik.

Coffee grounds, often thrown away by coffee shops and street stalls, provided a warm brown tone. Coffee contains natural tannins, caffeine, and antioxidants, which help the color stick to fabric and stay vibrant over time. This discovery not only reduced local waste but also gave a new purpose to something people usually ignore.

Then there were the Ketapang leaves, which fall abundantly around offices and streets. Instead of letting them dry up and rot, locals collected and processed them. The leaves are crushed and boiled to release their natural color. Depending on how the dye is fixed during the process, it can produce shades of green, olive, or even soft gray. These earthy tones have become a signature of Batik Singkawang’s calm and natural style.

Turning Trash into Tools

The creativity of the Singkawang community didn’t stop at making dyes. Even their batik tools were born from waste. The canting cap, a stamp used to create wax patterns, is usually made from metal. But the artisans of DSA Singkawang found a way to craft their own version from recycled cardboard taken from used food boxes and cigarette packages. It’s simple, affordable, and eco-friendly—a perfect example of how innovation can come from resourcefulness.

The DSA Program Behind the Movement

The success of Batik Singkawang is deeply connected to the Desa Sejahtera Astra (DSA) program, which is supported by Astra Group. The program helps villages grow stronger through four key pillars.

First, villagers receive training and mentorship, including practical lessons on product development, digital marketing, and business planning.

Second, DSA helps build strong institutions, guiding communities to form cooperatives or village-owned enterprises that can operate legally and sustainably.

Third, it provides production facilities and equipment that meet industrial standards so that local products can compete in the national and international market.

Finally, the program gives access to capital and marketing networks, connecting small producers with larger business opportunities and exhibitions around the world.

Recognition and Global Reach

This combination of creativity, training, and perseverance has brought impressive results. DSA Singkawang won second place in the 2025 Astra Festival, in the category of Community-Based Entrepreneurship Innovation. The award celebrated their commitment to sustainability and their success in turning waste into art.

Their products have even traveled beyond Indonesia’s borders. Batik Singkawang has been showcased at international exhibitions such as The Biggest Consumer Expo in Sarawak, Malaysia; BIOFACH 2025 in Germany; and the upcoming World Expo in Osaka, Japan. These events have opened new opportunities for collaboration and have introduced Singkawang’s unique eco-batik to the world.

Sustainability Through Culture

What makes Batik Singkawang so special isn’t just its color or craftsmanship—it’s the story behind it. Every piece of fabric reflects the values of the community: respect for nature, innovation through tradition, and the belief that progress can be both creative and responsible.

By turning waste into something meaningful, the people of Singkawang are proving that sustainability doesn’t have to mean sacrificing beauty. It can actually enhance it. Their batik shows that art and the environment can coexist, and that local traditions can lead the way toward a greener future.

A Global Message from a Small City

The journey of DSA Singkawang is a reminder that meaningful change often starts in small places, with ordinary people who dare to think differently. From squid ink to coffee grounds, from fallen leaves to recycled cardboard, everything that once seemed useless has now become part of a story that inspires the world.

Batik Singkawang isn’t just fabric, it’s a symbol of hope, creativity, and resilience. It shows that when a community works together with heart and imagination, even the simplest materials can be transformed into something extraordinary.

Source: 

Akun Instagram @paguyubandsakba https://www.instagram.com/paguyubandsakba/

https://www.kompasiana.com/karunia_sambas/68ea83cc34777c2a2c0f9303/dsa-singkawang-kerajinan-batik-yang-mendunia?page=3&page_images=1

Karunia Sylviany Sambas