Balikpapan – Another outstanding achievement has been made by students from the Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK). A team consisting of Muhammad Raflie Noor Risqi (Information Systems 2022) and Achmad Zaki Zaydan (Information Systems 2023), under the supervision of Nursanti Novi Arisa, S.Pd., M.Kom, won 1st Place in the Kreativesia 2025 competition organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) in Palembang, South Sumatra.

Background: From Waste Crisis to Environmental Movement

Indonesia is currently facing a serious challenge in waste management. According to the latest data, around 39.91% of the 33.621 million tons of annual waste generated nationwide remain unmanaged. In Balikpapan City alone, waste generation increased to 500 tons per day in 2024, driven by population growth and large-scale developments such as the National Capital (IKN) and oil refinery projects.

Plastic waste, especially plastic bags, remains the most difficult to decompose and dominates the piles at Manggar Landfill, which is predicted to become overloaded between 2026 and 2028. This situation inspired young innovators from ITK to take part in addressing environmental challenges through creative and sustainable solutions.

About Kreativesia 2025

Kreativesia is a national competition organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenpora) to promote creativity, social innovation, and youth entrepreneurship across the country. This event serves as a platform for young innovators to channel their ideas and create impactful solutions for social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

 Innovation: “Recraft” A Social Movement for Digitalized Waste Management

To tackle this growing problem, the ITK student team developed “Recraft”, a social and environmental movement based on digital innovation that integrates education, technology, and the circular economy.

Recraft serves as a platform that encourages communities to manage waste creatively and sustainably, with three main focuses:

1. Education and Workshops :  Conducting training sessions on making ecobricks, recycling plastic bags into crafts, and other creative environmental activities.
2. Digital Waste Management : Developing a digital platform that includes an online waste deposit system, carbon tracking, and a marketplace for recycled products.
3. Multi-sector Collaboration : Partnering with schools, communities, MSMEs, and government institutions to promote waste sorting culture and strengthen the local circular economy.

“Recraft is not only about reducing waste but also about changing behavior and instilling the value of sustainability from an early age,” said Muhammad Raflie Noor Risqi, the team leader of Recraft.

Journey and Preparation Toward Victory

In preparation for Kreativesia 2025, the team carried out extensive work — from field research, project development, and digital prototype design, to innovation presentation simulations. Guidance from their supervisor and their strong determination to represent East Kalimantan on the national stage became their driving force.

“Learning, collaborating, and daring to try new things are our keys to success. We want to show that ITK students can also make a real impact on the environment,” said Achmad Zaki Zaydan.

Hopes and Messages for ITK Students

This achievement proves that ITK’s young generation can make a meaningful contribution in delivering green, tech-driven, and socially impactful solutions. The Recraft team hopes that their success will inspire other students to keep innovating, collaborating, and carrying ITK’s name with pride at the national and global levels.

“Don’t be afraid to try and fail. Every small idea has the potential to make a big difference for our environment and society,” concluded Raflie.