PT Jamkrindo, in collaboration with the Salarea Foundation, has officially inaugurated the Salarea Waste House. This initiative serves as a pioneering development of a community-based waste bank, aiming to empower local communities while fostering collective awareness and concern for environmental issues, particularly the increasingly severe and complex waste problem. The waste bank pilot project has been established in three locations: Cikoang and Loji in Cibatu District, as well as Pasir Waru in Limbangan District, Garut Regency, West Java, and began operations in August.
According to Jamkrindo’s Corporate Secretary, Abdul Bari, the company continues to expand its community empowerment efforts, including in Garut. Previously, Jamkrindo had successfully carried out community empowerment programs in the Ciletuh Palabuhanratu UNESCO Global Geopark and Cikidang, one of the region's potential economic areas in Sukabumi Regency.
"In Garut, Jamkrindo is not only supporting the economic development of coffee farmers through the establishment of coffee demonstration plots and various training programs such as compost making. We are now also tackling the waste problem by establishing a community-based waste house under the Salarea Foundation," said Abdul Bari in a statement yesterday.
He further explained that the presence of the waste house is expected to address the growing problem of unmanaged waste, which has become a serious concern in Cibatu and its surroundings. Earlier this year, some areas in Cibatu near riverbanks experienced severe flooding, partly due to clogged and narrowed rivers filled with plastic waste. "Cibatu is known as the worst-hit area in North Garut, frequently suffering from clean water shortages during the dry season," he added.
Given these challenges, PT Jamkrindo remains committed to community empowerment and strongly supports the development of the waste house as a solution to the waste crisis. "Going forward, this initiative is not just about waste management but also about creating economic opportunities from waste processing. Jamkrindo has provided plastic shredding machines to transform waste into economically valuable products, fostering a circular economy," Abdul Bari emphasized.
Meanwhile, Salarea Foundation Secretary, Cecep M. Tosin, highlighted that the waste house in Loji is based on a school waste bank model at SMA PGRI Cibatu, in collaboration with the Loji Community Environmental Care Group (MPL), an entity under the Salarea Foundation’s environmental movement. "We greatly appreciate Jamkrindo’s support, facilitation, and assistance in the establishment of the Salarea Waste House as a community-based waste bank and empowerment initiative," he stated.
According to Cecep, the waste house in Cikoang serves as the central hub managing the two branch waste houses in Loji and Pasir Waru. "We hope that these three waste banks can expand to other areas in Garut, particularly those struggling with unmanaged waste," he added.
To support the waste house's operations, the Salarea Foundation has established volunteer networks such as MPL Loji, MPL Pasir Waru, and MPL Kampung Warung, covering three sub-districts. Currently, 75 waste volunteers are actively working across these MPL hubs. Additionally, MPL has begun producing paving blocks from non-recyclable plastic waste.
"In the spirit of celebrating Indonesia’s 76th Independence Day, we hope that these environmental empowerment efforts will continue to grow through sustainable collaboration among environmental organizations, local communities, corporations (both private and state-owned enterprises), and government institutions. This will help establish more community-led environmental initiatives," Cecep expressed.
Yoni Nugraha, the Head of Pasir Waru Village, expressed his pride in the presence of the waste house and the MPL Pasir Waru activities, which have positively impacted both the community and the local environment. "As a resident of Kampung Ikar, Pasir Waru, I am proud of this waste house. Previously, waste was scattered, and community discipline towards waste management was lacking. Alhamdulillah, now waste is being properly managed and collected at the waste house," he said during a visit to the MPL Pasir Waru waste house.
Similarly, Suryana, a representative of the Pasir Waru Village-Owned Enterprise (Bumdes), praised the support provided by Jamkrindo and the Salarea Foundation in building the waste house. "I hope this initiative serves as a positive inspiration for human resource development, especially among the younger generation, by turning waste into a valuable asset for everyone. This way, waste management can creatively and innovatively boost community income while ensuring a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous environment," he concluded.