Community Empowerment; Management of Inorganic Waste and Hazardous and Toxic Materials into Environmentally Friendly Infrastructure Products in Pulau Atas Village, Samarinda, East Kalimantan

Pemberdayaan Masyarakat; Pengelolaan Sampah Anorganik dan Bahan Berbahaya Beracun (B3) Menjadi Produk Infrastruktur Ramah Lingkungan di Kelurahan Pulau Atas, Samarinda, Kalimantan Timur

Abstract

Pulau Atas Village is one of the villages located in Sambutan District, Samarinda City, with a population of 3,665 and an area of 2,939 hectares. It is undeniable that with such a large population, waste management remains a significant issue in Pulau Atas due to the lack of temporary waste collection sites (TPS). Samarinda produces 603.31 tons of waste per day, which undoubtedly contributes significantly to environmental issues, particularly in areas like Pulau Atas. Improperly managed waste can lead to various negative impacts, ranging from environmental pollution to public health issues. Given these challenges, community empowerment initiatives can be developed for the management of inorganic waste and Hazardous and Toxic Materials (B3), with a focus on processing waste into economically valuable products at the household level. For example, household waste can be sorted, with recyclables like plastic, glass, and metals being collected for resale, while organic waste can be composted for use in home gardens. B3 waste, including batteries and electronics, can be safely handled and sent for proper disposal or recycling. Thus, through training, mentoring, and facilitation in waste management, there has been an increase in public awareness and involvement in waste management, as well as the creation of additional income sources from products derived from waste management. The empowerment of Pulau Atas Village residents in waste management has shown promising results, not only improving the local environment but also creating economic opportunities. The success of this initiative demonstrates that, with proper training and support, even in areas with limited infrastructure, communities can take control of their waste management challenges. Scaling this model to other villages in Samarinda could help addressing the growing waste issue across the city, turning waste from a problem into a sustainable resource.