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Collaboration between Astra Agro and Community in Managing Domestic Waste
Various Efforts to Manage and Recycle Domestic Waste in the Community.
Climate change and environmental pollution by waste are issues that are often highlighted, and waste management efforts have become an essential issue in the global community. The company, together with the community in Astra Agro Lestari’s palm oil plantations, have taken innovative and collaborative steps to manage waste more effectively, turn waste into valuable resources, and reduce negative impacts on the environment. This waste management step in the community is included in the “Public Contribution” category in one of PT Astra Agro Lestari’s Sustainability Aspiration charts. This waste reduction effort is within the company and a form of effort in the commitment of the #SemangatKurangiPlastik movement organized by PT Astra International.
Waste Bank
The Waste Bank program known as Bank Sampah invites residents to bring domestic waste such as plastic and paper waste which will later be recycled. This program has been implemented in all communities (Paguyuban) in each Astra Agro subsidiary.
Integrated Waste Processing Program
The existence of trash cans is highly needed in the paguyuban. In response to the high demand, the company provided 132 trash for 20 villages across Astra Agro subsidiaries’ paguyuban in 2023. The presence of trash cans will assist the community in disposing of and managing waste, which should be sorted into organic and inorganic materials.
Semangkup (Semangat Kurangi Plastik) Program
Plastic waste is a significant issue in environmental pollution due to its difficulty in natural decomposition. To address this problem, the company has launched the “Semangat Kurangi Plastik” (Plastic Reduction Movement) program, which encourages the community to reduce their use of plastic bags. So far, 1,536 individuals have been inspired by this initiative, with the company distributing an equal number of eco-friendly shopping bags as alternatives to plastic.
Composting
Non-plastic domestic waste from the paguyuban is composted and used as fertilizer for the plants grown by the residents.
When Students Join Forces to Combat the Domestic Wastes Problem in The Paguyuban
In addition to the efforts of the community, students also play an active role in waste management efforts. With creativity and enthusiasm, they transform domestic waste into useful products, while at the same time teaching the importance of environmentally friendly practices to the surrounding community. This initiative not only helps reduce the amount of waste but also builds a young generation with awareness of the importance of preserving nature from an early age.
Ecobrick
Some subsidiaries of Astra Agro are using gates made from plastic and domestic waste.
Ecobricks are environmentally friendly building materials that can serve as a substitute for traditional foundations. At PT GSPP, students create ecobricks by filling plastic bottles with plastic waste. This waste primarily comes from their homes and neighborhoods. In addition to the students’ efforts, paguyuban members also regularly collect plastic waste for recycling into ecobricks. Some of the products made from these ecobricks include benches, fences, and gates.
Handicrafts
In addition to making ecobrick, students of the foster schools and residents of the association are also active in making handicrafts from waste, such as decorations or bags.
Fashion Show from Recycled Clothing
Under the guidance of their teachers, the students creatively designed and made dresses from recycled domestic waste. These dresses can be seen at the fashion show held during the school’s Creative Day event.
Science Experiments
A student at the school shows how to create a battery using palm kernel shells on the school’s official YouTube channel.
The initiative not only involves processing domestic waste but also teaches students from the company’s partner schools how to process waste from palm trunks. For instance, Astra Agro Lestari Junior High School conducted a scientific project focused on renewable energy, specifically creating bioenergy from palm kernel shells sourced from Astra Agro plantations. You can watch the process of making this biobattery on the SMP Astra Agro Lestari YouTube channel. Additionally, students at Astra Makmur Jaya Junior High School developed an innovative method for making broth using fresh fruit bunches (FFB) from palm oil.
The Next Step in Waste Management
In the future, waste management initiatives will focus on promoting economic empowerment within the community. Pingkan Nabila, the CSR Assistant at PT GISP, stated that plans for household waste management will involve maggot cultivation using organic waste to improve soil quality, as well as processing waste into livestock feed, such as feed used for catfish nurseries.
“Currently, the community has a program called “Muslimah Berkas,” where residents collect waste to sell to a third party. The income generated from these sales is saved and will later be used to assist residents in need. Therefore, in addition to processing household waste, the community uses it to support charitable activities.” – Pingkan Nabila, Asisten CSR PT GSIP.
