The Power Of Lapak Ganjar, Newspaper Waste Craftsmen's Order To Skyrocket

Photo via Central Java Provincial Government

JAKARTA - In the hands of Kristanti Nareswari, the owner of the Setyo Handmade business from Boyolali Regency, newspaper waste has become more valuable. Newspaper waste is processed into beautiful bag craft products.

Her participation in the Lapak Ganjar (Ganjar's Stall) program made the used newspaper craft business go even further. In fact, so many requests, until Kristanti and her husband are willing to work overtime.

“I worked overtime until 2 (in the morning). Sometimes paint at night. So in the afternoon we just have to dry it," Kristanti explained, as quoted from the Central Java Provincial Government's website, Wednesday, April 12.

And she believes that is the impact she felt after participating in Lapak Ganjar. When she first started following Lapak Ganjar, she did follow the governor's Instagram account @ganjar_pranowo. She participated when the product theme was in the form of crafts.

It turns out that the upload was reposted by Lapak Ganjar. Sure enough, the positive impact began to arrive. Starting from expanding followers to her account @dzaky_setyo_ handmade, to a wider market.

"Alhamdulillah, after being reposted, followers have increased and the market has also become wider, orders have increased quite a bit," said Kristanti.

A month before joining Lapak Ganjar, only 10 bags were sold. After participating in Lapak Ganjar, she can get up to 15-20 pieces.

After Setyo Handmade's products became better known, people could appreciate newspaper waste more. Evidently, she who originally only sent handicrafts to Greater Solo, now can get to Semarang, Jakarta, and even outside the island of Java.

Not only that, but by coincidence, she also partnered with colleagues in New York and New Zealand, and her paper waste crafts were sent to these countries.

“What happened at that time was that there was an order for bags to be sent to New York. I've also been to New Zealand before," Kristanti explained.

Along with the development of her business, Setyo Handmade newspaper waste crafts are also entrusted to be installed in three large hotels in Solo, as well as in other cities. One of them is at Hotel Royal Heritage Solo.

According to her, the promotion of Lapak Ganjar was effective in helping MSME marketing. Therefore, she invited fellow MSME actors to take advantage of the Lapak Ganjar promotion.

Kristanti explained, Setyo Handmade is an MSME engaged in processing newspaper waste in Boyolali Regency. Its products range from craft bags, tissue containers, coasters, pencil baskets, key chains, necklaces, and so on. All products are done manually. Starting from being rolled, until it is processed into interesting crafts.

"It's also environmentally friendly because it comes from paper waste. We make use of this newspaper waste," she said.