The waste problem in coastal areas of Indonesia has become a serious concern due to its damaging impact on the environment and ecosystems. Organic waste such as plastics, paper, iron, glass, and cans are the main issues resulting from modern human activities. Unmanaged waste leads to the pollution of aquatic environments, threatens marine life, and damages aquatic ecosystems.

Community-based waste management involves the active participation of the community in waste collection, sorting, and management. It requires a change in the community’s mindset about waste, from something worthless to something valuable. The method involves active community participation in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of waste management programs. Socialization activities and campaigns are crucial to raising awareness among the public about the importance of proper waste management. Through socialization and campaigns, the community is encouraged to practice the principles of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling (3R).

Additionally, training and benchmarking are effective methods to provide knowledge and skills to the community in waste management. Institutional development is also important to ensure the sustainability of waste management programs, taking into account the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the community holistically. By actively involving the community in waste management, it is hoped that a clean and healthy environment will be created, providing economic opportunities for the local community.

Sungsang is one of the fishing villages located at the mouth of the Musi River. The residents’ settlements are built on tidal water, so their houses are raised on stilts and mainly made of wood. Environmental and social issues arise in this village, such as a lack of clean water, sanitation, waste, and wastewater. Relung Indonesia, together with the Banyuasin II District government and the village heads of the four villages in Sungsang, have piloted community-based waste management. The Waste Bank is one of the initiatives to change this paradigm by encouraging people to save waste that has economic value. Through this program, the community can earn additional income from selling the waste they collect.

In addition to the Waste Bank, there is the Clean Friday movement, where the entire community, along with the village government and other institutions in Sungsang, participate in cleaning up waste around the settlements. This action continues to be carried out and has become a routine activity in government institutions and among residents, as well as in schools. It is also accompanied by the actions of young people who create campaign media about environmental sustainability and waste management.

Contributor:

Sunaring Kurniandaru