From Organic Waste to Sustainable Resources: A Community-Based Approach to Environmental Improvement and Rural Sustainability

This community service article reports on a community-based organic waste management program implemented in Kurungkambing Village, Banten Province, Indonesia, aimed at improving environmental quality and supporting sustainable rural tourism. Despite the village’s strong agricultural and tourism potential, unmanaged household and agricultural organic waste has contributed to environmental degradation and limited community awareness of sustainable waste practices. Using a participatory and empowerment-oriented approach, the program was conducted in three main stages: (1) community needs assessment and stakeholder consultation, (2) training and mentoring on organic waste composting and herbal plant cultivation, and (3) environmental arrangement through school garden development and compost utilization. The findings indicate increased community awareness of organic waste management, enhanced practical skills in compost production, and active participation in environmental greening initiatives involving local residents and school communities. In addition, the program strengthened collaboration between the university, local government, and community groups, contributing to cleaner public spaces and more sustainable village environments. This study demonstrates the value of integrated, community-driven interventions in promoting environmental sustainability and offers practical insights for similar community service initiatives in rural and developing contexts.