From Small Habits for the Earth: Polibatam Instills Ecological Citizenship from an Early Age at SD Al-Barkah

BATAM – As part of its Community Service (PkM) program, a team of lecturers from the Department of Informatics Engineering at Politeknik Negeri Batam (Polibatam) conducted an Ecological Citizenship Education program for fourth-grade students at SD Al-Barkah on Friday, August 7, 2026.

The program reflects Polibatam’s commitment to fostering environmental awareness and responsibility from an early age. Through an educational, interactive, and engaging approach, students were encouraged to understand that protecting the environment can begin with simple habits practiced consistently in everyday life.

During the activity, students learned about the importance of maintaining a clean environment and were introduced to different types of waste, including organic, inorganic, hazardous and toxic (B3) waste, as well as recyclable materials. They were also taught the importance of sorting waste properly to support more effective and responsible waste management.

To make the learning process more accessible and enjoyable, the Community Service team delivered the materials through educational sessions, animated videos, and interactive games. The activities created an enthusiastic learning atmosphere, allowing students not only to receive information but also to actively identify different types of waste and practice proper waste sorting.

The program also introduced the concept of ecological citizenship, which emphasizes that every individual has a responsibility to protect and preserve the environment. This concept was presented through simple actions that are closely related to the students’ daily lives, such as keeping their surroundings clean, disposing of waste properly, and developing the habit of sorting waste from an early age.

As part of its support for sustainable waste-sorting practices at the school, the Polibatam Community Service team symbolically handed over four organic waste bins and four inorganic waste bins to the Principal of SD Al-Barkah. These facilities are expected to support the school in encouraging more organized and consistent waste management practices among students.

Through this initiative, Polibatam hopes that environmental education will go beyond classroom knowledge and become part of the students’ daily habits, both at school, at home, and within their communities. Simple practices such as sorting waste can serve as an important first step toward nurturing a generation that is more environmentally conscious, responsible, and committed to sustainability.

The program also demonstrates the active role of vocational higher education institutions in creating a positive impact within the community. Through relevant educational initiatives and community engagement, Polibatam continues to encourage greater awareness that protecting the planet can begin with small, meaningful actions undertaken together.

It is hoped that the spirit of environmental stewardship fostered through this program will continue to grow among the students and become part of their everyday lives. Because meaningful change for the Earth can begin with small habits developed from an early age.

Warm Greetings from Polibatam!

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