On June 10-11, 2024, the Community Service Team from the Enterprise System and Solution (Lab ESS) laboratory, Industrial Engineering Study Program, Telkom University consisting of Dr. Amelia Kurniawati, ST, MT, Fahmy Habib Hasanudin, ST, MT, Fandi Achmad, ST, MT, Rizki Fajar Ahmad Gurnita, Raihan Abdurrahman, and Cindy Joselyn Lim carried out a community service program in Lasem District, Rembang Regency. This activity is focused on handling waste from small and medium industries (IKM) of batik in the region.

Lasem District, known as "Batik City", is one of the leading batik production centers in Indonesia. However, the development of the batik industry in this region presents serious challenges in waste management. Batik waste, which contains hazardous chemicals, has the potential to pollute the environment if not managed properly. The Lab Ess Community Service Team, Telkom University made an in -depth observation and discussion to understand the conditions of waste from several Batik IKM in Lasem. As part of community service, the team takes sampling of waste from each batik IKM involved. The sample was then analyzed to determine the pH level (degree of acidity), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). The results of the analysis show that all waste samples from Batik IKM above exceed the standard quality standards set by the government.

After getting the results of the analysis, the team held a discussion with the Rembang Regency Environmental Service. The results of the discussion confirm that adequate waste management is very necessary to prevent more severe environmental damage. However, the main challenge faced is the cost for development and operation of the very high Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP). In addition, according to information from the Department of Environment, the WWTP requires 2,000 watts of electricity so that it can be optimally functioned. This adds challenges for Batik IKM which generally has limitations in terms of electricity resources. The Department of Environment states that effective long -term solutions require collaboration between the government, industry, and the community. The construction of communal WWTPs that can be used together by several SMEs become one of the options considered, but requires considerable funding support and commitment from all parties.

As a first step to raise awareness about the importance of waste treatment, the Lab ESS Community Service Team, Telkom University, compiled and provided training in the form of education modules to Batik IKM actors. This module includes information about the types of dangerous batik waste, the negative impact of waste on the environment and health, as well as simple ways that can be done to reduce these impacts. This module also provides practical guidelines for environmentally friendly waste management, including the use of safer chemicals and waste treatment methods that can be applied at a relatively low cost. The hope, with this module, Batik IKM actors can better understand the importance of good waste management and committed to making positive changes.

The Lab Ess Community Service Team, Telkom University hopes that the results of this activity can be a starting point for concrete steps next activity in overcoming the problem of batik waste in Lasem. With an increase in awareness and knowledge, as well as support from all related parties, it is hoped that Lasem can maintain its reputation as a batik city that is not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. In the future, collaboration between universities, government, and industry needs to be continued to be improved to create innovative solutions that can be applied on a broader scale. This community service program is expected to continue and become a model for other regions that face similar challenges.