The application of a circular economy is one of the keys to tackling the challenge of plastic waste. Instead of ending up in landfills, plastic can be recycled into useful and economically valuable products. This spirit was reflected in Aek Garut Village, Pandan Subdistrict, Central Tapanuli Regency, on Tuesday, 2nd September 2025, when dozens of residents flocked to the Bank Sampah Yamantap. Most of them were women carrying plastic bottles filled with compacted dry waste, processed into ecobricks, ready to be sold.
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The Director and Coordinator of the Bank Sampah Yamantap, Damai Mendrofa, explained that ecobricks are part of a plastic recycling initiative. “By packing plastic into bottles, the waste is isolated from the environment, preventing pollution, while at the same time providing economic value for the community,” he said.
Since its launch two months ago, the Bank Sampah Yamantap has collected 3,800 ecobricks from three areas: the Martabe Gold Mine Ring, the Aek Garut Mangrove Area, and communities around the waste bank. Each bottle is valued at IDR 6,000, provided it weighs at least 200 grams and is clean and intact.
This programme is fully supported by Agincourt Resources through the “Aksi Bikin Ecobrick dari Hati untuk Bumi” campaign. General Manager Operations & Deputy Director Operations, Rahmat Lubis, emphasised that this initiative is aligned with the company’s sustainability principles and Indonesia’s national waste management targets.
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The community welcomed the programme with enthusiasm. A housewife, Gatriani Silitonga, shared her joy at being able to both earn extra income and protect the environment. Meanwhile, the Head of Aek Garut Village, Herman Harefa, expressed his appreciation, noting that the initiative not only reduces plastic waste but also creates jobs and enhances family incomes.
