Balikpapan - Organic waste that would normally be discarded can now be transformed into something valuable for community gardens. Through a Community Service Program (KKN), students from Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) introduced composting bins to residents of Pemuda Batakan Street, Neighborhood Unit 66, Manggar Subdistrict, East Balikpapan.

The program, entitled “Transforming Organic Waste into Liquid Organic Fertilizer and Solid Compost Using Composting Bins,” was initiated by Moreno Nadhif Fadhilah, a 2023 Materials and Metallurgical Engineering student, and his KKN team under the supervision of Afif Taufiiqul Hakim, S.T., M.Sc.

The initiative was developed in response to the community’s limited access to affordable fertilizer. Difficulties in obtaining subsidized fertilizer have forced some residents to purchase relatively expensive non-subsidized products. This situation may increase gardening costs and affect crop productivity.

To address the problem, the ITK students introduced composting bins as a simple technology for processing household organic waste. Through composting, the waste can be transformed into liquid organic fertilizer and solid compost that can be used to support plant growth.

In addition to introducing the equipment, the students educated residents about sorting organic waste, managing the composting process, and using the resulting fertilizer. This assistance was intended to ensure that the community not only received the equipment but also gained the knowledge required to operate and develop it independently.

The composting bins offer two key benefits. They help reduce the amount of organic waste being discarded while producing fertilizer that is affordable, easy to make, and environmentally friendly.

For Moreno and his team, the program provided a valuable opportunity to apply their knowledge while working directly with the community. They learned that technology does not always have to be complex to create a meaningful impact. Simple innovations designed around local needs can become catalysts for sustainable change.

“We hope the community will continue using and developing these composting bins. In addition to reducing waste, the resulting compost can be used as fertilizer to support residents’ gardening activities,” Moreno said.

Through this program, the spirit of ITK Creates Impact was translated into a practical solution closely connected to the community’s daily life. Collaboration among students, lecturers, and residents is expected to encourage more responsible waste management while strengthening the community’s ability to meet its fertilizer needs sustainably.