Ismawati Hasanah, a 2014 graduate of the Food Industry Technology Study Program, Department of Agricultural Technology at Politeknik Negeri Jember (POLIJE), has successfully transformed her concern for environmental issues into a thriving business. Through CV Adis Barokah Jaya, she has developed an innovative waste processing enterprise that converts waste into valuable products while creating meaningful social and environmental benefits.

Inspired by the growing waste management challenges in local communities, Ismawati founded her business with the vision of proving that waste can become a valuable resource rather than an environmental burden. With support from the Environmental Agency and industry partners, the company has grown into a comprehensive waste management enterprise that contributes to both environmental protection and economic development.

Today, CV Adis Barokah Jaya operates several business units, including waste destruction services, plastic recycling into industrial plastic pellets, the production of bottled drinking water under the Kahuripan brand, and the utilization of incineration ash as an environmentally friendly raw material for paving blocks and concrete bricks. These innovations demonstrate the practical application of the circular economy, where waste materials are continuously transformed into useful products with added economic value.

One of the company's most notable innovations is the reuse of ash generated from waste incineration. Instead of being discarded, the ash is processed into construction materials that are safer and more sustainable than conventional alternatives. This approach reduces landfill waste while supporting environmentally responsible construction practices and promoting resource efficiency.

To support business expansion, Ismawati established Surabaya as the company's operational and distribution center due to its strategic logistics network and abundant waste supply. The location enables efficient product distribution while ensuring a consistent supply of recyclable materials needed for continuous production.

Beyond commercial success, Ismawati has made social responsibility a core component of her business model. She actively supports micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing opportunities for product promotion and marketing. In addition, she established the At-Taufiq Foundation in Surabaya, which offers free religious education for Quran memorizers and Islamic students, funded through the profits generated by her waste processing business.

Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Ismawati encourages young people to pursue entrepreneurship with resilience and determination. She believes that success is driven not only by academic achievement but also by perseverance, continuous learning, the blessings of parents, and the guidance of teachers. Her story demonstrates that vocational education can equip graduates with the practical skills and entrepreneurial mindset needed to solve real societal challenges.

The success of Ismawati Hasanah exemplifies the impact of POLIJE's vocational education in producing graduates who create innovative, sustainable, and socially responsible enterprises. By transforming waste into valuable products and reinvesting business success into community development, she has become an inspiring example of how entrepreneurship can simultaneously generate economic value, protect the environment, and improve the well-being of society.