IPB University’s Innovation KKN-T Students Officially Launch Ecobrick at Dadap Beach Display, Indramayu
Students of the Innovation Real Thematic Work Lecture (KKN-T) from IPB University’s Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) have organized a Socialization and Inauguration event for Ecobricks in Dadap Village, Juntinyuat District, Indramayu, West Java. This activity was held with the noble aim of raising public awareness with respect to managing single-use waste, more specifically plastic.
“Ecobrick is a concept of collecting and compacting used plastic into plastic bottles (usually mineral water bottles) until they become dense. In the ecobrick process, plastic bottles are filled with small pieces of plastic, which could be non-recyclable plastic waste such as plastic bags, food wrappers, and a variety of other types of plastic waste,” explained Amanda Tri Persada in detail, as the Village Coordinator of the KKN-T team from IPB University in Dadap Village.
In addition, she continued that the goal of ecobricks is to create environmentally friendly building materials which can then be used for various construction projects such as walls, benches, or other facilities. By this way, plastic that was previously potential environmental pollutants can be turned into a resource and kept from being disposed of in landfills.
The ecobrick socialization was conducted together with 27 sixth-grade students from SD Negeri 4 Dadap Village. The sosialization included materials about the importance of waste management and the process of making ecobricks. Amanda hopes that this activity can help increase children’s awareness that reducing waste is something that everyone, even elementary school students, can do.
“The ecobricks made by these elementary school children will be displayed at the Dadap Beach Display. Hopefully, these ecobricks can raise student awareness and contribute to the development of tourism potential in Dadap Village,” Amanda expressed.
The inauguration of the Ecobrick took place at Dadap Beach Display. The event was attended by village officials, including the kuwu (village head), hamlet head, heads of RW (neighborhood communities) and RT (community units), as well as Environmental Volunteers of Dadap Village. Further, a heart-shaped ecobrick was installed at the Dadap Beach Display to enhance the tourist attractions in Dadap Village. The iron frame supporting the ecobrick consists of 204 bottles, each filled with 200-250 grams of plastic packaging waste. The plastic waste used was collected from daily plastic use and waste collection from the village surroundings.
“When plastic is burned, it produces methane gas. If disposed of in the sea, it will be consumed by the fish and may lead to its death. Waste is a collective responsibility of the community. We would like to appreciate the efforts of our fellow IPB University students for initiating waste management,” said Asyriqin SW, SSos, the Village Head of Dadap Village.
Dadap Village, which is considered the largest village in Indramayu Regency, has a significant program dedicated to waste management, with a budget of 2,4 billion Indonesian Rupiah. This program continues to be implemented to raise awareness among the community that waste is a shared responsibility.”
“This inauguration is not ceremonial, but can be carried out sustainably to instill a sense of love and concern to the community in order to create a better village,” said the Village Head of Dadap Village during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Ecobrick Inauguration.
“I sincerely hope this becomes a new step in waste management that can provide long-term benefits for the environment as well as the community of this village,” added Bambang Riyanto, SPi, MSi, as the Field Supervisor for the Innovation KKN-T from IPB University in Dadap Village. (*/Rz) (IAAS/ZRT)
