CERAH: Smart Waste Management as an Effort for Environmental Education and Innovation in Semayang Village

CERAH: Cerdas Kelola Sampah sebagai Upaya Edukasi dan Inovasi Lingkungan di Desa Semayang

Abstract

Waste management remains a major issue in Indonesia, including in Semayang Village, which lacks an adequate final disposal site (TPA). This situation has led some residents to burn waste openly or dispose of it in Semayang Lake, resulting in negative impacts on health and the environment. The Community Service Learning (CSL) program themed “CERAH: Smart Waste Management” was implemented to provide educational and practical solutions for waste management. The methods used include promoting the construction of low-smoke incinerators, training in wick-based hydroponic systems using recycled bottles, and educating elementary school students on waste sorting. The results of the activities showed that the community was enthusiastic and understood the benefits of the incinerators, thus no longer relying on open burning or dumping into the lake. The hydroponics training successfully improved residents' skills in utilizing plastic waste while supporting household food security. Meanwhile, the education at elementary schools enhanced students' knowledge in distinguishing between organic, inorganic, and hazardous waste through board games, videos, and simple quizzes. Overall, the program successfully increased community awareness and skills through a participatory and innovative approach. These efforts not only reduce environmental pollution but also foster environmentally conscious behavior from an early age. Thus, CERAH can serve as a model for sustainable community empowerment to create a clean, healthy, and sustainable village environment.