From Waste to Resource, PGN Applies Circular Economy through Plastic Waste Management

JAKARTA - PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (Persero) Tbk/PGN, Subholding Gas Pertamina continues to strengthen its commitment to the implementation of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program which presents various sustainable initiatives to encourage sustainable environmental management, strengthen community participation, and create added value through the implementation of a circular economy.

One of the initiatives presented this time is a plastic waste management program in the company's environment into a product of value as an effort to encourage the independence of waste management at the company's location so that it can provide real benefits for the environment while creating added value for the community.

PGN Corporate Secretary, Fajriyah Usman said this program is not only a mere environmental management activity, but also part of an effort to build a culture of sustainability that involves all elements of the company.

In its implementation, PGN has prepared an integrated plastic waste management system ranging from sorting by all PGN employees, collection and management with Kertabumi Recycling Center, to final processing in cooperation with Al-Bustaniyah Waste Bank.

"Through cross-functional collaboration and the application of the circular economy principle, we want to build a more responsible work ecosystem, increase ESG awareness internally, and create added value from waste into a useful resource. This program is also a tangible manifestation of PGN's commitment to delivering sustainable social and environmental impacts," said Fajriyah, in a statement, Friday, May 8.

To strengthen the implementation of the program, PGN also received assistance from Kompas, National Geographic (NatGeo) Indonesia, and Kertabumi Recycling Center in expanding environmental awareness campaigns and encouraging the implementation of a circular economy among the community.

"We hope that through this initiative, public awareness of the importance of maintaining the environment can increase, so that it can encourage people to be smarter in managing plastic waste," he said.

Ikbal Alexander from the Kertabumi Recycling Center, explained that based on data from the Ministry of Environment, the amount of unmanaged waste generated reached 109 tons per day or about 75 percent of the total waste generated, thus triggering various environmental problems such as pollution, increased greenhouse gas emissions, to the risk of ecosystem damage due to the accumulation of plastic waste. This condition encourages the need for collaboration and concrete steps in creating sustainable waste management.

"The problem of waste cannot be solved alone. It requires collaboration between companies, communities, and the public to build more responsible waste management habits and encourage the implementation of a circular economy that has a real impact on the environment," said Ikbal.

According to him, the approach taken by PGN through education, sorting, collection, and processing of waste into products of useful value is a positive step that not only has an impact on the company's environment, but is also able to increase public awareness of the importance of responsible waste management.

"We see programs like this as very important to help reduce plastic waste while encouraging the implementation of a sustainable circular economy through more responsible and valuable waste management," said Ikbal.

On the other hand, Ade Sulaeman, Editor of National Geographic Indonesia, explained that the problem of plastic waste is not only polluting the environment, but has also become a serious threat to human health. Based on a number of research presented, microplastic and nanoplastic particles have even been found in the air, rainwater, and in the human bloodstream.

"This condition shows the impact of plastic waste which is increasingly widespread and not visible directly, so it requires increased awareness and changes in people's behavior in reducing the use of disposable plastics," said Ade.

According to Ade, through cross-sector collaboration, efforts to reduce plastic waste can be carried out more effectively. He assessed that consistent education and the involvement of various parties were key to building public awareness of the impact of plastic waste on the environment and human health.

"The problem of plastic waste cannot be solved by one party alone. Strong collaboration is needed to build behavioral changes in the community. What PGN is doing is a positive step in increasing environmental awareness while encouraging sustainability," concluded Ade.