Fostering Sustainable Rural Hygiene: A Participatory Approach to Waste Bin Restructuring and Environmental Awareness in Sukabumi, Indonesia

Abstract

Inadequate waste management facilities and low public awareness in rural residential areas often lead to environmental degradation and potential health risks. This community service initiative aimed to improve environmental hygiene and public health in Baros 2 Village, Sukabumi Regency, Indonesia, through a participatory waste facility restructuring program. Utilizing a collaborative and participatory action approach, the intervention combined physical infrastructure improvements with non-physical community empowerment. The methodology encompassed preliminary observations, problem identification, multi-stakeholder coordination, community socialization, collaborative waste bin rearrangement, and evaluation. The results demonstrated a significant transformation in physical cleanliness, characterized by the elimination of scattered waste and optimized waste collection infrastructure. Beyond physical improvements, the initiative fostered increased environmental awareness and strengthened community cohesion through collective action (gotong royong). Furthermore, the program heightened public understanding regarding waste segregation and the economic potential of recyclable materials. In conclusion, combining physical facility restructuring with community capacity building serves as an effective strategy for establishing sustainable, community-based rural waste management systems.