Penyediaan Sarana Pengumpulan Sampah Plastik sebagai Langkah Awal Pemberdayaan Ekonomi dan Penguatan Lingkungan di Desa Tiganderket, Kabupaten Karo

Abstract

Plastic waste management requires collection facilities that support material segregation and further utilization. This community service program aimed to provide a plastic bottle collection facility as an initial step toward waste management in Tiganderket Village, Tiganderket District, Karo Regency, and to identify the subsequent management requirements. The program was conducted through a Community Service Program (Kuliah Kerja Nyata, KKN) from July 30 to August 30, 2026, using a descriptive method based on direct implementation and activity documentation. The initiative arose from the KKN students’ observation that the village did not have a waste bank. On August 12, 2026, the students coordinated directly with the village head to obtain approval and support for the materials and other requirements needed to construct the facility. The facility was built by the KKN students with assistance from approximately three local residents. The main output was one plastic bottle collection facility constructed with a wooden frame, mesh panels, and a protective roof, accompanied by an identification sign. Photographic documentation showed that the facility had been completed and initially used to collect discarded plastic bottles. This achievement demonstrates the provision of physical infrastructure to support the separate collection of plastic materials. However, the program did not produce measurable evidence of increased household income, changes in waste-separation behavior, or reductions in waste volume. Sustaining the facility requires the appointment of a responsible manager, systematic recording of collected materials, a collection and emptying schedule, and cooperation with waste collectors or recycling operators. Therefore, the program represents an initial step in providing plastic waste collection infrastructure, while its long-term economic and environmental benefits require further management and evaluation.