The Community Service Program (KKN) 120 Team of Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta conducted a benchmarking and educational visit to the Khatulistiwa Waste Bank in Pontianak City, West Kalimantan, on Thursday (9/7). The activity was accompanied by Field Supervisor (DPL) Dr. Rika Lusri Virga, as part of the preparation for community service program implementation in Sintang Regency.

The visit aimed to strengthen students' capacity in understanding waste management systems based on the circular economy, particularly the management of inorganic waste such as plastic. The knowledge and field experience gained are hoped to serve as provisions in designing and implementing community empowerment programs relevant to the conditions at the KKN location.

During the activity, participants received presentations on the waste management process, from the stages of sorting and the identification of various types of plastic based on their characteristics and economic value, through to the processing methods applied at the Khatulistiwa Waste Bank. Students also gained an understanding that each type of plastic requires different treatment in the recycling process, making precision in sorting a critical factor in producing quality recycled products.

Beyond the material sessions, the KKN 120 Team had the opportunity to directly observe the plastic waste processing operations on site. Students witnessed the stages of shredding plastic bottles using a shredding machine as the initial step before the material is further processed into raw materials with commercial value, providing a realistic picture of an effective, efficient, and sustainable waste management system.

Through this benchmarking activity, the KKN 120 Team is hoped to be able to adapt the good practices already implemented at the Khatulistiwa Waste Bank for development in their program of work in Sintang Regency. This knowledge serves as important capital in preparing educational activities, community empowerment initiatives, and waste management innovations suited to the needs and potential of the local community.

This activity represents the KKN 120 Team of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's commitment to delivering community service programs that are not merely ceremonial, but oriented toward community needs and supportive of environmental preservation through sustainable waste management.

More broadly, the activity reflects UIN Sunan Kalijaga's commitment to integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the implementation of the Tridharma of Higher Education, realized through institutional strengthening via the SDGs Center, active participation as a member of the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, and various initiatives that promote a sustainable campus culture.

This consistency has also received international recognition through UIN Sunan Kalijaga's achievement of a position in the 600–800 world ranking band in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. Through community service programs such as that carried out by the KKN 120 Team, this commitment is translated into concrete action, delivering solutions to environmental challenges while sustainably strengthening community empowerment. (humassk)