BALIKPAPAN — Students from the Kalimantan Institute of Technology (ITK) are developing ecobricks and paving blocks made from plastic waste to promote sustainable waste management in schools. This community service initiative was carried out at SMA Negeri 6 Balikpapan as part of a social innovation program that supports the implementation of the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R) principles and strengthens the Adiwiyata Program.

The program, titled “Development of Ecobricks and Paving Blocks as an Effort to Manage Plastic Waste in Support of the Adiwiyata Program at SMA Negeri 6 Balikpapan,” involved students from the Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Safety Engineering study programs. The activity was supported by three ITK lecturers: Muhammad Huzair T., S.T., M.T., from the Civil Engineering Study Program, Department of Civil Engineering and Planning (JTSP); Ir. Arief Nugraha Pontoh, S.T., M.Eng., from the Civil Engineering Study Program, JTSP; and Zahrotur Rahmania Firliani, S.Ars., M.Ars., from the Architecture Study Program, JTSP.

The series of activities began with observations and coordination with SMA Negeri 6 Balikpapan, located on Jalan Soekarno Hatta Km 4.5, North Balikpapan. The student team conducted a field survey to identify the school's existing waste management practices and determine suitable locations for implementing the innovations. Following discussions with the school, the school garden was selected as the main implementation site because of its potential to become a greener, cleaner, and more educational space for the school community.

The student team then conducted an educational session on the environmental impacts of plastic waste and the importance of sustainable waste management. The materials covered plastic waste, the concept of ecobricks, the use of plastic waste to produce paving blocks, and the application of the 3R principles in everyday life. The session was delivered interactively through presentations, product demonstrations, discussions, and question-and-answer sessions to help students understand the material more easily.

In addition to receiving theoretical instruction, students participated directly in ecobrick-making activities. Plastic waste that had been sorted, cleaned, and dried was packed into plastic bottles until it reached the required level of density. Students were also introduced to the process of producing paving blocks from plastic waste through a simple demonstration. These hands-on activities gave students practical experience in transforming waste into useful products while strengthening their understanding of waste management.

Following the educational sessions and training, the ITK student team proceeded to the implementation stage by using the ecobricks and paving blocks produced during the activities to support the arrangement of the school garden. The products were installed as elements that enhance the school environment while serving as educational tools to remind the school community of the importance of reducing and managing plastic waste responsibly. This initiative is expected to contribute to a cleaner, more comfortable, and environmentally friendly school environment.

The program was evaluated through pre-tests and post-tests to assess students' understanding of plastic waste management, the 3R principles, ecobrick production, and the conversion of plastic waste into paving blocks. The evaluation results indicated that students demonstrated a very good understanding of the materials presented. The hands-on activities further reinforced their knowledge and encouraged greater awareness of environmental cleanliness and conservation within the school.

To ensure the program's sustainability, the ITK student team also provided SMA Negeri 6 Balikpapan with guidelines for making ecobricks and paving blocks. The school expressed its appreciation for the initiative and committed to continuing ecobrick-based plastic waste management as part of its efforts to strengthen the Adiwiyata Program.

Through this community service initiative, ITK students seek to provide practical solutions to plastic waste problems while encouraging students to take an active role in environmental protection. The program is expected to serve as a good practice that can be sustained and inspire other schools in Balikpapan and beyond to adopt more responsible waste management practices. Collaboration between higher education institutions and schools is an important step toward creating broader and more sustainable environmental change.

The ITK community service team extends its gratitude to the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) ITK, the principal and entire school community of SMA Negeri 6 Balikpapan, as well as the lecturers involved: Muhammad Huzair T., S.T., M.T. (Civil Engineering/JTSP), Ir. Arief Nugraha Pontoh, S.T., M.Eng. (Civil Engineering/JTSP), and Zahrotur Rahmania Firliani, S.Ars., M.Ars. (Architecture/JTSP), for their support and collaboration in carrying out this initiative. Through the collective efforts of all parties, the program is expected to deliver lasting benefits to the school environment and the surrounding community.