Concrete Action by Trisakti Students: Transforming Diaper Waste into Paving Blocks in Sukabumi
RM.id – Used diaper waste, which has long been an environmental issue in Ciambar Village (Ciambar District, Sukabumi Regency, West Java), is now being transformed into paving blocks that benefit the local community. This innovation is a flagship program of the 2026 Applied Science and Technology Independent Enterprise Course (KUM-ITT) carried out by 11 students from Trisakti University, under the guidance of Field Supervisor Dr. Nurhayati, S.E., M.E. The activity took place from July 4 to July 13, 2026.
Disposable diaper waste has long been one of the most difficult types of household waste to decompose, often accumulating without proper management in Ciambar Village. To address this issue, the students developed a processing method involving sorting, washing, and drying the waste, followed by mixing it with other materials and molding it into paving blocks that can be used for simple infrastructure within the village.
This innovation is also expected to broaden residents’ perspectives, showing that waste previously considered valueless can be processed into products that are beneficial both economically and environmentally.
The innovation of recycling diaper waste into paving blocks is part of the Healthy Environment and Circular Economy Movement program. This program also includes household waste sorting and management activities, as well as training on processing coffee packaging waste to give it commercial value. The initiative aligns with the achievement of Village SDGs: Goal 3 (Healthy and Prosperous Village), Goal 6 (Village with Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 9 (Village Infrastructure and Innovation Meeting Needs), Goal 12 (Environmentally Conscious Village Consumption and Production), and Goal 13 (Climate Change-Responsive Village).
The eleven students involved in the overall KUM-ITT 2026 program in Ciambar Village come from various faculties, namely Muhammad Alif Farrel Athaya and Ryan Chris Henry from the Faculty of Law;
Arinda Calisa Putri and Deandra Nazhira Putri from the Faculty of Economics and Business; Abimanyu Witjaksono S and Haliza Ratna from the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Environmental Technology; Trisya Anugerah Frans and Muhamad Fatih Farhat from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Planning; Rian Andriyanto from the Faculty of Art and Design; and Yuzry Andycha Putra and Rheza Andhika Dwi Arya from the Faculty of Earth and Energy Technology.In addition to that flagship program, the students also implemented five other complementary programs. In the area of maternal and child health, a mother-child empowerment program was introduced, featuring nutrition counseling and stunting prevention for pregnant women, education on positive parenting and infant and young child feeding (IYCF), as well as early detection of “baby blues” and postpartum mental health issues—aligning with Village SDGs 1, 2, 3, and 5.
In the economic sector, a program aimed at improving welfare and digitizing MSMEs provided digital marketing training to local business owners. This covered social media utilization, promotional design using Canva, and product photography techniques, supporting Village SDGs 1, 2, 8, 10, 12, and 17.
Regarding infrastructure, an infrastructure revitalization and disaster resilience program enhanced road safety through the installation of convex mirrors and streetlights, alongside first aid training and the formation of disaster-prepared village volunteers—aligning with Village SDGs 9, 11, and 13.
In the fields of education and child health, a collective tooth-brushing movement provided counseling and hands-on practice for elementary and early childhood education (PAUD) students, as well as training for teachers to serve as sustainable “Dental Cadres,” supporting Village SDGs 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10. Meanwhile, to strengthen food security, a Food Security and Digital Literacy program was implemented through urban farming demonstration plots, the cultivation of family medicinal plants (TOGA), and basic digital literacy training for housewives—aligning with Village SDGs 1, 2, 4, 12, and 15.
Ciambar Village Head Suparkah welcomed the presence of the Universitas Trisakti students through this KUM-ITT program. Innovations such as processing diaper waste into paving blocks help residents realize that household waste can be transformed into something useful.
“Hopefully, the knowledge shared by the students can continue to be applied by the residents even after the program concludes,” the speaker said in a statement received by the editorial team on Thursday (July 16, 2026).
Through a cross-sectoral and inter-faculty approach, the KUM-ITT 2026 student community service activity in Ciambar Village demonstrates that simple innovations based on household waste can have a tangible impact on the environment and the village economy. This program also underscores that village development is a collective effort involving all stakeholders—including universities and the younger generation—acting as agents of change toward achieving the Village SDGs.
The successful implementation of the KUM-ITT 2026 program in Ciambar Village was made possible by the support of various parties. KUM-ITT extends its gratitude to the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of Trisakti University for its guidance, facilitation, and full support from the preparation stage through to the program’s execution in the field. Thanks also go to the Head of Ciambar Village, Suparkah, and the village administration staff for their warm welcome, authorization, and cooperation throughout the community service period.
“We also wish to express our deepest appreciation to all the residents of Ciambar Village for their participation, openness, and spirit of mutual cooperation (*gotong royong*), which ensured the smooth running of the KUM-ITT 2026 program series and delivered tangible benefits to the community,” stated KUM-ITT.