Bakti Barito Foundation, alongside its partners, inaugurated a new school building constructed using bricks made from low-value plastic waste. This initiative marks a historic milestone as the first school in Indonesia built by transforming low-value plastic waste into a recycled composite material for educational facilities.
This pilot project was initiated and supported by Bakti Barito’s Green Guardians program, alongside Kitabisa ORG and Star Energy Geothermal, in collaboration with technology partner Biru Langit Utama Indonesia (BLU).
According to data from the Ministry of Environment (KLH), plastic accounts for approximately 17% to 20% of total national waste generation, with more than half ending up in landfills.1 This initiative involved the construction of two classrooms and two new toilet units for students at SDN 3 Sukanegla, Garut Regency, utilizing over 18 tons of low-value plastic waste—such as instant noodle wrappers, snack packaging, and sachets that hold no economic value for waste collectors and are difficult to recycle.
This innovative step also supports the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025–2029, under which the government targets 100% waste management coverage by 2028.2
“Environmental awareness is best instilled from an early age by integrating climate change and environmental topics into the curriculum. Through daily activities—such as waste sorting, conserving energy and water, and learning about endemic trees—students are taught about climate change mitigation and adaptation,” said Fifi Pangestu, Executive Director of Bakti Barito. “Through the Green Guardians program, Bakti Barito is committed to providing guidance so that schools can manage waste effectively and achieve ‘Adiwiyata School’ status.”
The success of this project was made possible by widespread public support. Andrew Yonathan, Head of Sustainability Kitabisa, stated: “We are incredibly proud to support this remarkable initiative and to bridge the public’s spirit of generosity. The spirit of mutual cooperation and the public donations raised through our platform demonstrate that the Indonesian people deeply care about the future of education and environmental sustainability.”
The inauguration of this new school building was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Kwok Fook Seng. This pilot project is expected to provide a scalable solution to address plastic waste challenges in Indonesia, while simultaneously expanding access to quality educational facilities.
From left: Ivan Wong (Co-Founder of BLU Circular), Fifi Pangestu (Executive Director of Bakti Barito), Mrs. Pearl Kwok, and H.E. Mr. Kwok Fook Seng (Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the Republic of Indonesia)
- https://sampahnasional.kemenlh.go.id/ ↩︎
- https://kemenlh.go.id/news/detail/kejar-target-pengelolaan-sampah-klhbplh-siapkan-peta-jalan-dan-perbarui-aturan-tanggung-jawab-produsen ↩︎
###
About Bakti Barito Foundation
Established in 2011, Bakti Barito Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Barito Pacific Group, an integrated energy company with diversified entities such as Chandra Asri Group, Barito Renewables (incl. Star Energy Geothermal), Griya Idola, Petrindo Jaya Kreasi (incl. Petrosea), Indo Raya Tenaga, and more.
Guided by the enduring commitment of our founders, Prajogo Pangestu and his wife Harlina Tjandinegara, the foundation is dedicated to addressing Indonesia’s environmental and educational challenges through collaborative initiatives with our partners and the communities we serve. For more information, please visit baktibarito.com, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and X.
Media contact: info@baktibarito.com