Plastic Waste Processing Technology Assessed to Strengthen Circular Economy at Community Level
Managing plastic waste cannot rely solely on sorting and collection through waste banks. The use of appropriate technology is seen as one solution to reduce waste accumulation while creating products of economic value that communities can manage sustainably.
This effort was undertaken by the Community Service Team of Universitas Mercu Buana through the application of a plastic shredding machine to produce water-permeable paving blocks in Meruya Utara sub-district, West Jakarta. The programme, supported by the Directorate of Research and Community Service of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, was accompanied by training on the digitalisation of financial record-keeping for PKK cadres and MSME actors.
Team leader Fitri Indriawati said the programme was designed not only to reduce the accumulation of plastic waste, but also to build the community’s capacity to independently manage circular-economy-based enterprises.
Through the use of the plastic shredding machine, household waste is processed into additional raw material for making water-permeable paving blocks. The product has pores that allow rainwater to seep into the ground, thereby improving the environment’s absorption capacity while reducing surface water run-off.
In addition to waste processing, participants also received digital-based financial record-keeping training using Microsoft Excel. The material provided included recording cash receipts and expenditures, calculating production costs, and preparing profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports.
The digitalisation of financial record-keeping is expected to help PKK cadres and MSME actors manage their businesses in a more orderly, transparent and accountable manner, so that waste processing activities can develop into sustainable enterprises.
Head of Meruya Utara sub-district Agustiawan said waste remains a continuing challenge faced by urban areas, including Jakarta. Therefore, innovations that can be applied directly at the community level are considered important for strengthening waste management at its source.
“Waste processing is currently crucial in every area, particularly in Jakarta. This activity is very beneficial for the community because it provides knowledge, skills and technology that can be used to process waste into products of useful value,” he said.
Universitas Mercu Buana stated that mentoring would continue so that the community can operate the plastic shredding machine, produce water-permeable paving blocks, and implement the digital financial record-keeping system independently.
The programme is expected to support the implementation of the circular economy through the reduction of plastic waste, increased community participation, and the opening of business opportunities based on waste management that add value to both the environment and the local economy.