Balikpapan – Behind the piles of plastic waste that have long posed an environmental challenge in RT 21 KM 12, Karang Joang Village, North Balikpapan, lies an opportunity to create meaningful change. For many, used plastic is simply waste that ends up being openly burned or left to accumulate without value. However, for lecturers and students of Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK), this waste has become the starting point for innovative solutions that deliver tangible benefits to the local community.

Through the 2026 Village Community Service Program (PMMD), an interdisciplinary team of lecturers and students from the Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Visual Communication Design study programs launched an initiative entitled "Community Empowerment in Plastic Waste Management and Residential Infrastructure Improvement in RT 21 KM 12, Karang Joang, North Balikpapan." Led by Elizabeth Desfelia Ciciolini Sidabutar, S.T., M.T., the program exemplifies the spirit of Impactful Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Diktisaintek Berdampak) by applying knowledge, technology, and collaboration to address real challenges faced by local communities.

Based on field observations, the team found that a significant portion of household plastic waste, particularly Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), was being disposed of through open burning due to limited recycling options and inadequate waste management facilities. This practice releases hazardous emissions that threaten both environmental quality and public health.

To address these challenges, the team introduced an innovative approach that not only reduces waste but also creates added value. LDPE plastic waste is processed into paving blocks through a controlled melting and molding process, transforming previously discarded materials into functional construction products that can be used to improve community infrastructure. This innovation demonstrates that plastic waste once considered worthless can be converted into valuable and practical resources.

In addition, the team constructed a simple incinerator to manage residual waste that cannot be recycled or processed into paving blocks. Unlike conventional open burning, the incinerator features a controlled airflow system that enables a more stable combustion process, helping to reduce the direct release of smoke into the surrounding environment.

The initiative extends beyond technological innovation. As part of efforts to improve the local environment, the PMMD team also built a community gateway at the RT 21 waste collection site. This gateway serves as a clear landmark for the waste management area, making it easier for residents and visitors to identify the location while enhancing the overall appearance and organization of the neighborhood.

To ensure the sustainability of the program, the team also conducted community outreach and mentoring activities on waste segregation, plastic waste utilization, and environmentally responsible waste management practices. Through these activities, residents are not only the beneficiaries of the program but also active participants in developing the knowledge and skills needed to manage household waste independently.

This initiative demonstrates that Impactful Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Diktisaintek Berdampak) goes beyond research laboratories and classrooms. It is realized through concrete actions that directly address community needs. By bringing together lecturers, students, and local residents, ITK has shown that simple innovations inspired by local challenges can create lasting change—transforming waste into valuable resources while fostering a cleaner, more organized, and empowered community.