PEMANFAATAN GALON BEKAS UNTUK PENANAMAN TERONG DAN CABAI DALAM UPAYA MENINGKATKAN PEREKONOMIAN PADA IBU-IBU PKK

Abstract

This community service program aims to educate and empower members of the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) in Cepokosari Hamlet, Bantul, through the utilization of used water gallons as planting media for cultivating eggplants and chili peppers. Amid growing concerns over environmental pollution caused by plastic waste, this initiative offers an innovative solution that not only addresses waste reduction but also promotes household food security and economic improvement. The methods employed in this program include technical training and intensive mentoring on vegetable cultivation using vertical gardening techniques with repurposed gallon containers. The results demonstrate that using used water gallons as planting media effectively enhances plant productivity. In addition to yielding sufficient produce for household consumption, a portion of the harvest can be sold, thereby providing supplementary income for the participating families. This activity has successfully improved the gardening skills of PKK members, raised environmental awareness, and fostered a spirit of household-based entrepreneurship. Thus, the program contributes to reducing plastic waste while simultaneously strengthening the economic self-reliance of the local community. It is expected that this initiative can serve as a replicable model for community empowerment through waste utilization and simple urban agriculture practices.