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Plastic waste management in rural areas, particularly in tourism villages, remains an environmental challenge that requires sustainable solutions. Negeri Tongging Village, as a tourism area around Lake Toba, has experienced an increase in household plastic waste that has not been managed optimally, potentially affecting environmental quality and community well-being. This community service activity aimed to enhance community awareness and capacity in plastic waste management through the implementation of a circular economy approach based on a waste exchange program and ecobrick production. A participatory approach was employed by actively involving the community in all stages of the activity, including socialization, program implementation, and evaluation. The program was carried out during the 2025 Community Service Program of Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara, consisting of circular economy socialization, collection of plastic waste through an exchange scheme with basic necessities, training on ecobrick production, and the provision of supporting facilities for environmental cleanliness. The results indicate an increase in community participation and environmental awareness, a reduction in improperly disposed plastic waste, and an improvement in community skills in processing plastic waste into useful products. In addition, the activity strengthened mutual cooperation and environmental responsibility among community members. In conclusion, the application of a circular economy approach through ecobrick-based activities can serve as an effective alternative solution for plastic waste management while simultaneously supporting sustainable community empowerment in rural tourism areas.

This community service program was conducted by Group 7 of KKN ITB Ahmad Dahlan Lamongan in Bapuhbandung Village, Glagah District, Lamongan Regency, aiming to address environmental and public health issues through the utilization of ecobricks and the cultivation of family medicinal plants (TOGA). The main problems identified were low awareness of plastic waste management and the underutilization of home yards for medicinal plants. The program applied a participatory assistance method involving students, parents, youth, and village officials throughout the stages of observation, planning, implementation, and evaluation. The results showed that more than 300 ecobricks were produced and assembled into an installation forming the word “BAPUHBANDUNG,” which now serves as a new village icon. In addition, medicinal plants such as ginger, turmeric, and lemongrass were planted around the installation area and residents’ yards. The evaluation indicated high community participation, good-quality ecobricks, and positive initial growth of TOGA. This program not only produced physical outputs but also increased community awareness of plastic waste management, family health independence, and the strengthening of village identity.

The dangers of plastic waste are common and disturb both the water, land and air. Ecobricks are a creative way to reduce plastic waste by putting clean plastic waste into plastic bottles and the results will be used for human benefit. Making ecobricks is not yet popular among the wider community. This service activity will provide benefits to various parties, including the community, community service participants and the government. The targets for this service activity are Maura El-Mumtaz Elementary School students in the Tanah Seribu sub-district, Binjai City. Based on the results of community service activities that have been carried out, it can be seen that students can make seats from ecobricks. It is hoped that students will be able to express many more ideas for making ecobricks, not only making them in the form of chairs but also in other shapes. So this can be used as a business opportunity for the community