Karangmalang Village has experienced problems related to waste management for quite a long time. The waste problem that has persisted in society is a source of deep concern. One of the main obstacles to this problem is the need for appropriate final disposal sites (TPA) and an effective waste management system. As a result, people are looking for alternative ways to dispose of waste detrimental to the environment and health, namely by throwing rubbish in rivers and burning trash in their yards.
Disposing waste into rivers is an inappropriate choice because it can damage the ecosystem and water quality in the village. On the other hand, burning trash in the yard, apart from having the potential to create dangerous air pollution, is also ineffective in overcoming the waste problem in the long term. Various efforts have been made to overcome this problem by creating a cleanliness fee and waste-burning programs. Still, these efforts have yet to be effective, and ultimately, these programs have stopped due to various obstacles. Obstacles occurred in implementing previous programs, such as limited funds, the unwillingness of some residents to pay fees, and the inadequate capacity of the incinerator to accommodate all the waste in Karangmalang Village. Therefore, it is crucial to find sustainable solutions based on lessons learned from previous efforts so that Karangmalang Village can overcome this waste problem effectively.
Starting from concerns about the waste problem in Karangmalang Village, Community Service (KKN) Team II Diponegoro University students were motivated to overcome the waste management problem by establishing a Waste Bank program for the residents of Karangmalang Village. Sunday (23/07/2023) was the beginning of the implementation of the Waste Bank system in Karangmalang Village. Diponegoro University students carried out socialization regarding the Waste Bank system to PKK women and cadre women to provide further understanding about the future Waste Bank system. The Waste Bank program being implemented targets PKK women and Posyandu cadre women as initial targets for implementing the program, which will later motivate the Karangmalang Village community to participate in the Waste Bank program.
All PKK members and cadres participate in the Waste Bank program by collecting waste and sorting the piled waste according to a predetermined schedule. This waste will be collected at the collection point provided at the Karangmalang Village Hall. The types of waste that can be collected at the Waste Bank include plastic, paper, metal, and other materials that can be reprocessed into valuable items. Thus, the Waste Bank not only helps reduce the volume of waste and minimizes environmental pollution but also provides additional income for them.
The collected waste is sold to collectors and the income from sales can be used in various programs from the PKK and Posyandu Cadres. After the socialization was carried out, students, together with PKK women and cadre women, formed an organizational structure that would regulate the operations and management of the Waste Bank. The formation of this organizational structure aims to ensure that the Waste Bank can run efficiently, optimize the collection, sorting, and utilization of waste, and achieve the goal of sustainable waste management.
Garbage collection is carried out every Sunday at the Karangmalang Village Hall, organized by picket teams. The picket team is tasked with helping sort the collected waste according to its type. After the rubbish is collected, the picket team is tasked with contacting the collector to pick up the trash. The proceeds from the sale of waste in the Waste Bank program go to the PKK and Cadre coffers so that members who collect garbage can benefit from the waste collection. Even though the benefits of the Waste Bank are not felt individually, the impact can help individuals collectively through the PKK organization and Posyandu Cadres.
The existence of the Waste Bank program in Karangmalang Village can overcome the waste problem, which has long been a concern in this village. Through this program, the people of Karangmalang Village can actively participate in waste management and maintain the cleanliness of the village environment. The Waste Bank not only acts as a shelter but also as a symbol of collaboration and awareness of the importance of keeping the village environment clean. Through collaboration between the Karangmalang Village community, village officials, and Community Service students, Karangmalang Village now looks to the future with a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment for the welfare of the entire village community.
