PEMBERDAYAAN UMKM KERUPUK TUIRI MELALUI INOVASI PENGELAHAN LIMBAH PLASTIK MENJADI ECOBRINK: STUDI KASUS KKN TEMATIK

Abstract

Abstrak

Pemberdayaan masyarakat berbasis lingkungan menjadi salah satu upaya penting dalam mengatasi permasalahan sampah plastik sekaligus mendukung pengembangan ekonomi kreatif masyarakat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan proses pemberdayaan UMKM Kerupuk Tuiri melalui inovasi pengolahan limbah plastik menjadi ecobrick dalam kegiatan KKN Tematik. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode deskriptif kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi kasus. Teknik pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui observasi, wawancara, dokumentasi, dan partisipasi aktif mahasiswa KKN. Subjek penelitian meliputi pemilik UMKM Kerupuk Tuiri, masyarakat sekitar, dan mahasiswa KKN yang terlibat dalam program pemberdayaan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa program ecobrick mampu meningkatkan kesadaran masyarakat terhadap pentingnya pengelolaan sampah plastik serta mendorong partisipasi masyarakat dalam menjaga kebersihan lingkungan. Program ini dilaksanakan melalui tahapan sosialisasi, pelatihan, praktik langsung, dan pendampingan pembuatan ecobrick. Masyarakat mulai memahami bahwa limbah plastik dapat diolah menjadi produk kreatif yang memiliki nilai guna dan nilai ekonomi. Selain memberikan dampak lingkungan berupa berkurangnya sampah plastik yang dibuang sembarangan atau dibakar, program ini juga memberikan dampak sosial dan ekonomi melalui peningkatan kreativitas masyarakat serta terciptanya citra positif bagi UMKM Kerupuk Tuiri sebagai usaha yang peduli lingkungan. Kendala dalam pelaksanaan program meliputi rendahnya pengetahuan awal masyarakat mengenai ecobrick, kurangnya fasilitas pendukung pengelolaan sampah, serta keterbatasan waktu pendampingan selama kegiatan KKN berlangsung. Namun demikian, melalui pendekatan partisipatif dan persuasif, masyarakat menunjukkan respon positif terhadap program yang dilaksanakan. Dengan demikian, inovasi ecobrick dapat menjadi salah satu alternatif pemberdayaan masyarakat berbasis lingkungan yang mendukung pembangunan berkelanjutan dan pengembangan ekonomi kreatif lokal.

Kata Kunci: UMKM, ecobrick, limbah plastik, pemberdayaan masyarakat, KKN Tematik.

Abstract

Environmentally based community empowerment is an important effort in overcoming the problem of plastic waste while supporting the development of the community's creative economy. This study aims to describe the empowerment process of the Tuiri Crackers MSME through the innovation of processing plastic waste into ecobricks in the Thematic Community Service Program (KKN) activities. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive method with a case study approach. Data collection techniques were carried out through observation, interviews, documentation, and active participation of KKN students. The research subjects included the owner of the Tuiri Crackers MSME, the surrounding community, and KKN students involved in the empowerment program. The results of the study indicate that the ecobrick program is able to increase public awareness of the importance of plastic waste management and encourage community participation in maintaining environmental cleanliness. This program was implemented through stages of socialization, training, direct practice, and mentoring in ecobrick making. The community began to understand that plastic waste can be processed into creative products that have utility and economic value. In addition to providing environmental impacts in the form of reducing plastic waste that is disposed of carelessly or burned, this program also has social and economic impacts by increasing community creativity and creating a positive image for the Tuiri Crackers MSME as an environmentally conscious business. Obstacles to program implementation included the community's limited initial knowledge about ecobricks, a lack of supporting facilities for waste management, and limited time for mentoring during the KKN activities. However, through a participatory and persuasive approach, the community responded positively to the program. Thus, ecobrick innovation can be an alternative environmentally-based community empowerment strategy that supports sustainable development and the development of the local creative economy.

Keywords: MSMEs, ecobricks, plastic waste, community empowerment, Thematic KKN.