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The community had no adequate waste management system, leaving residents with limited options such as piling up garbage, burning it, or even dumping it into rivers. This practice has had detrimental environmental impacts while also reflecting the lack of public awareness and the absence of proper facilities.

To address this challenge, the students, in collaboration with local residents, initiated the construction of a TPS3R (Waste Management Center based on Reduce, Reuse, Recycle principles) and TPSS (Temporary Waste Collection Sites). The program aimed to establish a sustainable waste management system while raising community awareness through education and training.

Kevin Ariya Mudita (Metallurgical Engineering 2023), the leader of Team 17, explained that the main objectives were to provide an integrated waste processing facility, to educate residents about waste sorting and processing, and to empower the community through productive activities.

The TPS3R facility was built from scratch on a 6x6 meter plot of land. It features separate rooms for sorting organic and inorganic waste, a management room, composting drums, and an incinerator measuring 2x2x1.5 meters with a 1.8 meter chimney for handling non-recyclable inorganic waste.

Organic waste is processed into solid and liquid fertilizer using 10 composting drums, while recyclable inorganic waste is sold to village-level collectors. Non-recyclable waste is incinerated to produce ash. The students also repaired an unfit pickup truck, enabling it to function as a waste transport vehicle for 12 TPSS units spread across 17 neighborhood associations (RTs). Once completed, the facilities were immediately put to use by residents, indicating a shift in community awareness of waste management.

Beyond infrastructure development, the students organized community outreach and training programs. These included education on household waste sorting, training on making organic fertilizer from livestock manure, and a creative workshop on producing aromatherapy candles from used cooking oil. The programs were met with great enthusiasm, with residents actively participating and even requesting additional workshops.

The project did not come without challenges. Relocation of the project site, limited available land, and three landslides that blocked access roads temporarily hindered progress. However, through coordination with local authorities and strong community support, the entire program was successfully completed with 100% achievement.

“We hope this program does not end as a temporary KKN initiative but continues as an official village program. For this reason, we have handed over a comprehensive waste management study, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and trained five local residents to act as the initial management team,” Kevin explained.

The waste management program has directly benefited 2,229 residents of Legokherang Village, who now not only have access to proper facilities but also the knowledge needed to sustain the initiative.

Kevin expressed his hope that local authorities will ensure the continuity of the TPS3R, while residents consistently practice waste sorting and processing according to their capacity. “We realized that even as students, we can create real impacts for society. We hope this experience will serve as a valuable foundation for contributing more widely after graduation,” he concluded.

Reporter: Chysara Rabani (Mining Engineering, 2022)