ITB Community Engagement Collaboration Builds Salt Production House from Recycled Plastic Bottles
By Sri Wulandari - Mahasiswa Oseanografi, 2022
Editor M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.
CIREBON, itb.ac.id — A community engagement team from the Oceanography Program at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), in collaboration with Universitas Padjadjaran, the Lindungi Ibu Pertiwi Foundation, and the Mina Jaka Bhakti Cooperative (KUD), inaugurated the Resalt House (Recycle Salt House), a salt production facility built from recycled plastic bottles, in Bungko Lor Village, Kapetakan Subdistrict, Cirebon Regency, West Java, on Sunday (July 6, 2025).
The inauguration was attended by Dudi, Head of KUD Mina Jaka Bhakti; Dr. Susanna Nurdjaman, S.Si., M.T., head of the community engagement team; Dr. Ankiq Taofiqurohman, S.Si., M.T., representing Universitas Padjadjaran; and members of the Bungko Lor Village Youth Organization (Karang Taruna).
This initiative represents a tangible synergy between universities, local communities, and social organizations in addressing the challenges of salt production along the northern coast of West Java.
The establishment of Resalt House was driven by the worsening impact of tidal flooding (rob) caused by climate change, which has disrupted the livelihoods of coastal salt farmers. The phenomenon has made salt production increasingly seasonal and unstable. At the same time, the persistent problem of non-biodegradable plastic waste inspired the team to create a solution addressing two issues at once: strengthening salt production resilience and managing plastic waste.
The construction process began with collecting used plastic bottles from local recyclers and Bungko Lor residents. “The village contributed around 20–30 kilograms of plastic bottles for the construction of the Resalt House,” said Qonitah, an ITB Oceanography student involved in the project.
The bottles—selected for uniform brand and size—were cleaned and arranged using bamboo poles as the main framework. The salt house, measuring 4 x 6 meters with a height of around 2 to 2.5 meters, is reinforced with metal plates and lined with black geomembrane sheets to trap heat, accelerating the evaporation process in salt production.
Inside the Resalt House are three-tiered racks for salt-making. With its enclosed design, production is no longer disrupted by rain or tidal flooding. The system is expected to make yields more stable and efficient. This simple yet innovative technology offers a cost-effective way to increase salt productivity.
The construction, carried out by local craftsmen, took place from May 31 to July 6, 2025. Following the inauguration, the team will continue monitoring the productivity of the salt produced at the facility.
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