BALIKPAPAN – Visitor activities at the Tanjung Gading KM 12 Tourism Area have contributed to an increase in the amount of waste that needs to be managed by the site operators. Meanwhile, limited waste treatment facilities mean that waste is generally collected and transported out of the area without undergoing treatment on site.

This condition presents a challenge in maintaining the cleanliness and comfort of the tourism area. Moreover, the limited capacity of the Manggar Final Waste Processing Site (TPAS) highlights the need to reduce and manage waste at its source.

To help address this need, a community service team from the Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK), together with students, introduced a simple incinerator as an appropriate technology solution at the Tanjung Gading KM 12 Tourism Area. The equipment was designed by taking into account the conditions of the area and the needs of the site operators as a supporting facility for managing residual waste on site.

Designed to Meet the Operators’ Needs

The incinerator design process began with field observations and discussions with the tourism area operators. This stage was conducted to identify existing waste management conditions, available facilities, and the type of equipment that could be effectively implemented in the field.

The findings were then used as the basis for determining the design and components of the equipment. Through this approach, the technology developed was not only designed to function effectively but also adapted to the operational capabilities and needs of the tourism area operators.

The incinerator uses a double-barrel system consisting of a combustion chamber equipped with ventilation, a smoke chimney, and basic safety components. The design also considers ease of operation and maintenance so that the equipment can be incorporated into daily waste management activities.

The equipment is expected to provide an alternative for reducing the volume of residual waste that needs to be transported out of the area. Its use, however, still needs to be supported by waste segregation, the implementation of safety procedures, and operation according to the types of waste that can be handled.

Equipment Testing and Operational Assistance

After the construction process was completed, the incinerator was tested directly at the Tanjung Gading KM 12 Tourism Area. The trial was conducted to ensure that each component functioned according to the design and to evaluate the ease of operating the equipment in the field.

The test results showed that the incinerator functioned properly and was ready to be utilized as a supporting facility for waste management in the tourism area. The presence of the equipment provides operators with an additional option for managing residual waste generated by visitor activities.

The community service team also provided assistance on the proper operation and maintenance of the equipment. The assistance aimed to enable operators to operate the incinerator independently, understand safety procedures, and carry out basic maintenance to maintain its functionality.

This approach is an important part of ensuring that the innovation does not stop at the handover stage. The operators’ knowledge and skills are essential to ensure that the equipment can be utilized and maintained sustainably according to the needs of the area.

Collaboration Between Lecturers, Students, and Tourism Operators

This 2026 community service activity was led by Fathiyah Rahmi Hidayat, S.T., M.P.W.K., with lecturers Khairi Ahza Hail Keliwar, M.P.W.K. and Iitra Achbar Sahdian, M.T. serving as team members.

The student team was led by Naufal Nizar R., with members Adi Prastyo, Andrea Abdul Fatah, Anisa Nasywa, Anugrah Krisna F.G., Dhinya Atus Z., Esti Eliazar, Faishal Yusuf Waluyo, M. Yovie Farietha P., and Syaifa Maulana Al Kausar.

Student involvement provides a direct learning opportunity to understand environmental challenges in the community while applying academic knowledge to develop relevant solutions. Collaboration with the tourism area operators also ensures that the innovation is developed based on actual needs in the field.

Supporting Sustainable Waste Management

The introduction of the simple incinerator is expected to help reduce the volume of residual waste that needs to be transported out of the area while encouraging more organized waste management practices. The use of this appropriate technology represents one of the steps toward maintaining the Tanjung Gading KM 12 Tourism Area as a clean, comfortable, and sustainably managed destination.

However, the use of an incinerator is only one part of an integrated waste management system and should not be considered the sole solution. Waste segregation at the source, reduction of single-use waste, reuse, recycling, and safe residual waste management remain necessary to establish a more comprehensive waste management system.

This activity supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, through efforts to improve waste management and reduce environmental impacts in tourism areas.

The activity also aligns with SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, particularly through waste reduction and management generated by tourism activities. Collaboration among lecturers, students, and tourism area operators further contributes to SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals.

Through this initiative, ITK continues to strengthen its role in applying science and technology to address community needs. The innovation is expected not only to contribute to maintaining the cleanliness of Tanjung Gading KM 12 but also to foster collective awareness of the importance of responsible and sustainable tourism waste management.