<![CDATA[The issue of plastic waste in urban residential areas requires a source-based management approach that goes beyond reliance on external sorting and collection, incorporating an internal processing mechanism at the community level instead. This community service initiative aimed to strengthen the community-based plastic waste management system by implementing ecobrick practices within a residential area in Depok City. A participatory socio-technical systems engineering approach was employed, involving the assessment of baseline conditions, the strengthening of source management through education on plastic sorting, the establishment of internal processing mechanisms via training, the adoption of ecobrick production procedures, and the reinforcement of community mechanisms through the engagement of a core group and the development of simple Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Eleven participants, selected based on their prior involvement in environmental activities and household waste management, took part in the program. Evaluation was conducted using pre- and post-tests, satisfaction surveys, and observations of the implementation of the internal processing mechanism. Results showed an increase in participants' average understanding from 51.52% to 80.30%, representing a 28.78 percentage-point increase. The most significant improvement was in the understanding of ecobricks as a form of upcycling, increasing by 72.73 percentage points. All participants (100%) provided positive feedback. The initiative also led to the creation of simple SOPs and the initial implementation of internal processing, as evidenced by the production of 19 ecobricks. These findings demonstrate that ecobricking can be integrated as an internal processing function within community-based plastic waste management systems and holds potential for replication in residential areas with similar characteristics.]]>
