Related to SDGs
Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), through the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), conducted a community service program in the form of ecobrick training for residents of Griya Sekargading Housing Complex RT 07 RW III, Kalisegoro Village, Gunungpati District, Semarang, on Saturday, July 5, 2026. The activity was designed to empower the community in managing plastic waste while promoting environmental sustainability.
The training involved members of the local Family Welfare Movement (PKK). Participants received education on the environmental impacts of plastic waste pollution and were given hands-on experience in producing ecobricks as an alternative method of utilizing household plastic waste.
The head of the community service team, Rudi Salam, S.Pd., M.Pd., explained that the program was designed not only to provide technical skills but also to build public awareness regarding waste management practices. “This program encourages people to develop the habit of sorting waste at the household level. Plastic waste that is often considered useless can be transformed into ecobricks that provide environmental and economic benefits,” he said.
According to Rudi, effective waste management begins with behavioral change. Through this training, residents were encouraged to reduce plastic waste generation while increasing its value through creative ecobrick-based products.
The program involved lecturers and students from FISIP UNNES who are members of the SDGs and Conservation Group. Student participation not only served as a learning experience beyond the classroom but also strengthened collaboration between the university and the community in addressing environmental issues.
One participant, Ani Prihatin, shared that the training provided valuable new insights. “Previously, we simply threw plastic waste away. Through this activity, I learned that plastic waste can be turned into ecobricks that are useful and even have economic potential,” she said.
Through this initiative, FISIP UNNES hopes to encourage communities to adopt sustainable waste management practices. The program is also expected to serve as an example of community-based waste management that generates environmental and social benefits.
This activity supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
