Waste Becomes a Blessing: The First Lady Praised Pertamina's CSR Program

Penajam Paser Utara, September 13, 2024 – Pertamina Group participated in the First Lady's official visit alongside the Organisasi Aksi Solidaritas Era Kabinet Indonesia Maju (OASE) with the theme "Household Waste Processing Training into Compost and Eco Enzyme" at the Tengin Baru Village Head Office, Sepaku, Penajam Paser Utara Regency, on Thursday (09/12/2024).

During the event, Pertamina Group showcased its waste management programs that transform waste into valuable products for the community. These included the Pelita Borneo Program fostered by PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Unit V Balikpapan, the Pusaka Program by PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur, the Energy Independent Village Wasteco Program by Pertamina Hulu Mahakam, and the Seraya Handycraft Program by PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Kalimantan, as well as products from fostered partner of Rumah BUMN Balikpapan.

First Lady Iriana Jokowi, with Wury Ma'ruf Amin and the women of OASE, visited Pertamina Group's product booths, observing various waste management products. These included coconut husk products such as bags, shoes, flower pots, cocopeat fertilizer, and cocomesh, a coconut fiber net used to prevent soil erosion. These products have increased community income by IDR 288,000,000 annually and addressed environmental issues by utilizing up to 108 tons of coconut husk waste annually.

In addition, the event featured products made from recycled plastic, fabric scraps, and used cooking oil, such as tote bags, pillows, notebooks, candles, wax sachets, and other crafts.

The event also highlighted food products from the Energy Independent Village MSMEs Wasteco Program (Waste Energy for Community), cooked using methane gas from waste processing. The unique packaging and diverse flavors of these food products attracted the attention of OASE members.

The Energy Independent Village Wasteco Program processes waste into cooking fuel by channeling methane gas for household cooking needs. To date, 380 households and small businesses in the Manggar area have been connected to this methane gas system, providing an alternative cooking fuel that has helped save costs and boosted product sales by IDR 420,000,000 annually.

“The First Lady’s support for small and medium-sized enterprises was evident during her visit to the Pertamina Group's showcase booths, where she viewed the products and gave positive feedback,” said the Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fadjar Djoko Santoso.

Fadjar added that the OASE members also sampled food cooked using methane gas, which promotes environmentally friendly processes.

Liza Thohir also appreciates and supports Pertamina Group's waste management products, "These products are excellent, can be sold on a larger scale; the packaging is very unique," she said.

Rusni Pebriyanti, a Local Hero from the Pusaka Coconut Fiber Recycling Program by PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur, said, "This waste management program brings blessings and economic benefits to the community. Pertamina fully supports waste management initiatives, transforming waste into highly unique and marketable products."

Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**