BANGKA -- PT TIMAH Tbk has once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting environmental management and empowering coastal communities by providing a waste collection motorcycle to the Basayan Berseri Waste Bank (Nelayan Clean, Healthy, and Neat Waste Bank) in the Nelayan II neighborhood, Sungailiat Village, Bangka Regency.
The donation of the waste collection motorcycle is part of PT TIMAH Tbk’s efforts to improve waste collection services, enabling the Nelayan Waste Bank to reach more residents efficiently.
Mastura, the head of the Basayan Berseri Waste Bank, explained that since it was founded in 2020, the waste bank has gained hundreds of customers, most of whom live in the fishing community.
She noted that PT TIMAH Tbk had previously supported them with various operational equipment for the waste bank.
“We buy waste from residents, and every deposit is recorded in their savings book. So automatically, people are saving while keeping the environment clean,” said Mastura.
According to her, every Saturday the waste bank collects around 300–400 kilograms of waste, including plastic bottles, plastic cups, cardboard, and other non-organic materials.
In addition to buying waste, the group also transforms it into creative products such as detergent packaging bags, basket mats, and crafts made from plastic bottles. These products were previously marketed with the help of the local PKK women’s group, but marketing has recently become a challenge.
“Right now we’re having trouble marketing the products. We usually make bags from Rinso packaging, bottle holders, and basket mats, and they were quite popular,” Mastura added.
She said the waste collection motorcycle from PT TIMAH Tbk will greatly support their operations, as it allows workers to reach homes located in narrow alleys.
“We used to collect waste using a large motorcycle that couldn’t enter small alleys. This new motorcycle is exactly what we need for those tight spaces. With this donation, our work becomes easier and we can serve more customers,” she said.
Mastura added that the waste bank can now pick up waste directly from residents’ homes, making services faster and more efficient.
She hopes PT TIMAH Tbk will continue its support, especially by providing special bins for plastic bottles and other non-organic waste in several strategic points to prevent waste from being scattered.
“We are grateful that PT TIMAH has helped us from the beginning. We hope this support continues because we still have many needs. PT TIMAH’s presence means a lot to us as a coastal community,” she said.
Through this assistance, PT TIMAH Tbk hopes the Basayan Berseri Waste Bank can continue to play a bigger role in maintaining environmental cleanliness, increasing public awareness, and opening economic opportunities through waste management. (*)
