Gerakan Sekolah Bebas Sampah: Pemberdayaan Siswa dalam Pemilihan dan Daur Ulang Sampah di Linkungan Sekolah

Abstract

Waste management within school environments continues to be a significant challenge, primarily due to students' limited awareness and practices regarding waste sorting and recycling. To tackle this issue, a community service initiative was launched to empower elementary school students through the "Waste-Free School Movement" program. This one-day event occurred at SD Negeri 1 Parempuan in West Lombok Regency, engaging 60 grades IV and V students. The implementation method included interactive educational sessions, waste sorting simulations, and hands-on recycling workshops using plastic bottles and paper. The educational content was presented participatory and contextual to ensure that elementary school-aged children could easily grasp the concepts. Results from the activity indicated a substantial increase in students' understanding of waste classification (organic, inorganic, and residual). This improvement was evidenced by pre-test and post-test scores, demonstrating an average enhancement of 42%. Furthermore, students successfully created simple recycled products, including plant pots made from used bottles and decorative paper made from wastepaper. An evaluation conducted via a questionnaire revealed that 87% of students found the activity enjoyable and felt it provided them with a new and meaningful experience. This initiative illustrates that an interactive, hands-on educational approach can effectively nurture a culture of environmental awareness from a young age. It is hoped that similar programs can be implemented sustainably and integrated into curricular and extracurricular activities in schools.