UNAIR NEWS The Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Science and Technology (BEM FST) (UNAIR) has successfully launched a community service initiative, FST Assists Village (Bina Desa) program. As part of this project, the team established Rumah Sampah (Waste House)攁 proactive solution aimed at addressing a pressing environmental issue within the local community. This initiative aligns with the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, emphasizing students’ role in contributing to national development.
The team selected Manduro Manggung Gajah Village in Mojokerto as a case study for their project, which ran from July 15 to July 21. The construction of Rumah Sampah was carried out alongside the development of the Eco Smart Sorter (ECOSS)攁 flagship program under the Bina Desa Call for SDGs Community Service Initiative. The ECOSS system is designed to assist the community in sorting various types of inorganic waste, such as plastic, cans, glass, and other recyclable materials.
The idea for Rumah Sampah emerged from observations made during an initial survey conducted in early June 2024 as part of the annual Bina Desa program. The survey aimed to assess the village檚 environmental conditions before implementing targeted interventions focused on sustainability and waste management.
Rohadi, Head of the Community Empowerment Institution (LPM) of Manduro Village, highlighted the severity of the issue: 淧eople here dispose of their waste directly into the river. When it rains, the water overflows, carrying the waste into residential areas. There is currently no designated place for waste collection.
In response to this concern, the team devised the Rumah Sampah project. A group of 20 Bina Desa volunteers worked alongside local residents who willingly participated in various stages of the construction process.
Additionally, two skilled laborers were brought in to support the structural development of the facility. The Rumah Sampah, measuring 3脳3 meters, was built using durable materials, including corrugated metal sheets, wood, bricks, and other essential building supplies. It was strategically located near the village field to ensure easy access for residents.
淭o prevent waste from accumulating in the river, residents can now deposit their garbage at Rumah Sampah instead. This will help reduce waste overflow into residential areas during heavy rainfall, explained Afzal, Chairman of Bina Desa.
During the construction phase, the team distributed waste collection sacks to households, allowing residents to store their waste temporarily before transporting it to Rumah Sampah. Waste is sorted into two categories: organic and inorganic. Inorganic materials, such as plastic, paper, cardboard, and bottles, are collected separately and processed through the ECOSS system, where they are weighed before being sent to recycling centers.
Beyond infrastructure development, the Bina Desa team conducted awareness campaigns to educate residents on proper waste management and environmental conservation. These sessions also served as a platform to introduce Rumah Sampah as a sustainable waste disposal solution.
The outreach initiative was conducted in collaboration with local youth organizations (Karang Taruna), the Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDES), and the Environmental Agency (DLH) of Manduro Village. These partnerships aimed to strengthen community involvement in sustainable waste management efforts.
Author: Inayatul Fadilah, Mochammad Afzal I.S.R, Ikhtafia Harnum A.
