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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.

Kuala Indah Village in Sei Suka, Batubara, North Sumatra, is a coastal village whose economy relies on fisheries and aquaculture. The community is predominantly Muslim and also practices small-scale agriculture and animal husbandry. The Community Service Program (KKN) provides a platform for students to apply academic theory in real-world contexts, while also encouraging active community involvement. KKN students implement various programs, such as stunting prevention, religious moderation, skills training for poverty alleviation, and education for children and adolescents. They also play a role in increasing community participation through cultural activities and supporting local businesses by strengthening digital visibility. These initiatives support the creation of inclusive villages, providing equal access and opportunities regardless of gender, religion, or socioeconomic status. This collaborative approach reinforces the value of mutual cooperation and enriches social and educational life in the village. Through KKN, universities demonstrate their tangible contribution to village development. The success of this program underscores the importance of social inclusion and collective work in promoting sustainable development in rural areas like Kuala Indah.  

Strengthening religious moderation is a strategic effort to build a harmonious social life, especially in Berastagi, which is characterized by cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity. Through the Community Service Program (KKN) of UINSU students in 2025, various programs were designed to encourage community participation while raising collective awareness of the importance of religious moderation values. The main programs include a dish soap-making workshop as an economic empowerment initiative, an anti-bullying campaign to instill tolerance, an education awareness campaign to build a quality generation, the creation of educational boards on waste management to preserve the environment, and the “Sapa Desa” (Semangat Aksi Peduli Desa) movement to strengthen social relations. In addition, supplementary programs such as KKN Cerdas, RUMTAr, Gen Q, Spada, along with student involvement in the fruit and flower festival, selling local products, supporting farmers, and fundraising for the Independence Day celebration, further reinforced collaborative roles with the community. These activities are expected to create synergy between students and the people of Berastagi in fostering inclusive attitudes, mutual cooperation, and environmental care, making religious moderation not only a concept but also a real practice in social life.

Pematang Johar Village is a village in Labuhan Deli District, Deli Serdang Regency, which has great potential in the social, religious, and economic fields of the community. This study aims to describe the socio-religious conditions and the role of the community in maintaining local religious and cultural values ​​​​amidst the flow of modernization. The research method used is the Participatory Action Research (PAR) method. Where researchers together with the community actively plan and implement the programs carried out. This village is the location of the Community Service Program (KKN) by Uinsu students, who carry out various programs to address social, economic, and educational challenges in the village. The KKN programs implemented include mutual cooperation, religious moderation with socialization of increasing religious values. Empowerment of digital-based MSMEs to increase the marketing of Johar Clean dishwashing soap products. Anti-bullying workshops, legal protection and business in Islam at local elementary schools. In addition, the KKN program also seeks to increase interest in education in the village by holding private tutoring, regular Quranic recitations, and teaching activities at schools.

This activity aims to complete the assignment of a real work study report (KKN) regarding community service." The realization is in the form of mutual cooperation in maintaining the cleanliness of neighborhood roads, cemeteries, mosques and public areas. Going directly into the field to carry out reciprocal collaboration with local communities is the research method applied. The following are the results of the activities carried out: picking up and sorting rubbish, cleaning grass, cleaning the surrounding environment, cleaning the mosque and surrounding roads, helping others, and helping local women in the kitchen. Students' contributions to society in carrying out social interests is one of the advantages of research. The photos and mutual cooperation efforts to provide assistance to the Hajoran village community are the results of this investigation.