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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 issue of plastic waste is increasingly becoming an environmental concern, including in elementary schools, due to its non-biodegradable nature and its potential to cause environmental pollution if not properly managed. This activity aims to implement the Ecobrick method as an innovative solution for managing and utilizing plastic waste at SDN 054945 Desa Dogang, Gebang District, Langkat Regency. The method used is a descriptive qualitative approach involving 65 students from grades IV and V through a community service activity. The activity was carried out on July 17, 2024, through preparation, implementation, and evaluation stages, with data collection techniques including observation, documentation, and reflective discussion. The results show that the application of the Ecobrick method successfully increased students' understanding and awareness of the dangers of plastic waste and fostered an early environmental concern. Moreover, previously worthless plastic waste was processed into functional Ecobrick benches that can be utilized within the school environment. This activity also encouraged a sense of mutual cooperation, responsibility, and creativity among the students. Thus, the Ecobrick method has proven to be an effective alternative for plastic waste management and a contextual learning medium in creating an environmentally friendly school culture.