Damai Mendrofa, Chair of the Yamantab Waste Bank, stated that the achievement of producing 10,000 ecobricks is tangible evidence that community habits can be changed gradually. This milestone represents the first achievement of the “From the Heart for the Earth” Ecobrick Program, launched by PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR) in 2025.

“Previously, household plastic waste was simply discarded. Now, community members collect it, sort it, and pack it into ecobricks. The result is something we can all see today: a park that can be enjoyed by the community,” said Damai during the official opening of the Ecobrick Park in Batang Toru, South Tapanuli, on Tuesday (June 30, 2026).

Beyond serving as the foundation of the park, thousands of the ecobricks have also been utilized as signage for Martabe Cocoa and Martabe Farm—PT Agincourt Resources’ local economic development initiatives located near Sopo Daganak.

This plastic waste collection and ecobrick production initiative involved the Yamantab Waste Bank and four other local waste banks in Batang Toru: Gocap, Satahi, Naposo Hamubaon, and Rap Hita Paias.

Katarina Siburian Hardono, Senior Manager Corporate Communications of PT Agincourt Resources, described the Ecobrick Park as a symbol of the circular economy principles that the company seeks to build together with local communities. Local waste banks have been actively involved in the initiative, with three of them are currently partners in the company’s community development program.

“The Ecobrick Park is more than just the result of plastic waste management; it is proof that meaningful change can begin with simple actions taken collectively. For us, the success of this program is measured not only by the number of ecobricks collected, but also by the growing awareness and habits within the community to manage waste independently and sustainably,” she said.

Communities Take Part in Environmental Monitoring

In addition to engaging communities in environmental conservation efforts, PTAR also encourages community participation in environmental monitoring. Within the conservation areas, a 14-member SMART Patrol team—some of whom are former hunters and illegal loggers—conducts daily patrols in the Aek Pahu and Ulu Ala Conservation Areas.

One of the team members, Parman Sitanggang from Wek 4 Village, has been working to protect the conservation area for nearly two years. He used to collect timber and hunt in the same area. During patrols, he records everything he observes in the field, including wildlife, signs of illegal logging, and hunting activities.

“If we find wildlife, logging activities, or signs of encroachment, we simply take a photo and record it in the application along with its coordinates,” he said.

On the other hand, monitoring the quality of treated water from the Martabe Gold Mine that is discharged into the Batang Toru River also involves representatives from communities in villages surrounding the mining area. One of them is Ali Marhot Siregar. A resident of Hapesong Baru Village, he has been part of the integrated water quality monitoring team since 2024.

“Water samples are collected from several monitoring points every month and then tested by an independent laboratory in Jakarta. The results are announced to the public every three months,” he said.

In addition to the opening of Ecobrick Park, PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR) marked World Environment Day 2026 by organizing a Mangrove Conservation Clean-Up Action and an Artificial Coral Reef Construction Training program in Central Tapanuli, involving both community members and employees.

END

The post Engages Communities in Plastic Waste Management, PT Agincourt Resources Builds an Ecobrick Park in Batang Toru appeared first on Agincourt Resources.

Since its launch from July to December 2025, the programme successfully collected 10,000 ecobrick bottles, equivalent to reducing approximately 2.5 tonnes of plastic waste from the environment. Thousands of these bottles have now been transformed into the Ecobrick Park at Sopo Daganak, as well as visual installations at Martabe Cocoa and Martabe Farm, serving not only as landscape features but also as educational spaces that remind people that plastic waste still holds value when managed through creativity and collective action.

The success of this programme reflects the active involvement of various stakeholders, including schools, waste banks, local government, media, and communities working together to build new habits in responsible waste management.

In his remarks, Senior Manager Processing Agincourt Resources, Altur Tambun, emphasised that the programme’s greatest achievement lies not merely in the number of ecobricks collected, but in the growing shared awareness that protecting the environment must begin with consistent everyday action.

This same spirit is reflected in the inspiring journey of SMP Negeri 1 Batang Toru, which successfully earned recognition as an Adiwiyata School through various initiatives aimed at building a strong culture of environmental responsibility within the school community. One of the practices continuously developed is the use of ecobricks as part of waste management education while instilling environmental awareness from an early age.

Another inspiring story comes from Sri Wahyuni, a community member who has demonstrated that waste management can also create new economic opportunities. Through her creativity, discarded packaging waste that once had no value has been transformed into products such as bags that carry both functional and economic value for the community.

Through collaboration involving communities, educational institutions, waste management groups, and the Company, Agincourt Resources continues to encourage real action aligned with the spirit of World Environment Day 2026 under the theme It’s Time to Work for Climate. This programme demonstrates that protecting the planet does not always begin with grand actions, but rather with simple habits carried out together and continuously nurtured into sustainable change for future generations.

The post Creating Sustainable Value from Waste appeared first on Agincourt Resources.

Read Also : Sengon: A Fast-Growing Tree with Abundant Benefits

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.

Read Also : Understanding Coral Reefs and Their Benefits to the Ecosystem

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.

The post Realising Circular Economy through Ecobricks in Aek Garut Village appeared first on Agincourt Resources.

This program is a continuation of earlier ecobrick education activities conducted in communities surrounding the Martabe Gold Mine. More than just sharing technical information and skills, the initiative represents a moral movement, emphasizing the importance of creative and sustainable plastic waste management. As a simple, community-based solution, ecobricks offer a practical response to the increasingly pressing issue of plastic waste. 

Through sustained education and active community participation, Agincourt Resources hopes ecobricks will pave the way for a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Today, disposing of waste properly is no longer enough—it is time to manage waste as a source of hope, transforming plastic from a problem into part of the solution. 

The post Ecobrick Awareness Continues! Agincourt Resources Drives Real Action for Waste Management and Environmental Protection appeared first on Agincourt Resources.

General Manager Operations & Deputy Director Operations of Agincourt Resources, Rahmat Lubis, stated that “Ecobrick Action from the Heart for the Earth” is an initiative by PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR) to commemorate World Environment Day, which this year carries the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution.” This initiative aligns with the sustainability principles that the Company always upholds.

“This initiative is also part of our broader theme, Living in Harmony, which emphasizes the balance between operational performance, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment. This effort also represents our support for the national targets of managing 50% of waste by 2025 and 100% by 2029,” said Rahmat after launching the program on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

The program involves four waste banks supported by PTAR: Gocap, Satahi, Naposo Hamubaon, and Rap Hita Paias. Over the next 6 to 8 months, they will undergo collaborative training with Waste4Change and Yamantab Waste Bank to produce ecobricks independently.

Following the program launch, PTAR held a Creative Environmental Management Workshop on ecobrick-making on July 3, 2025, at Sopo Daganak, Batang Toru. The workshop was attended by representatives from Adiwiyata schools in Batang Toru, environmental community groups, and the four waste banks partner supported by PTAR.

Rahmat explained that since the Martabe Gold Mine began operations in 2011, the company has implemented various environmental preservation programs, ranging from conservation and reclamation to circular-based domestic waste management, including the construction of a waste sortation facility (WSF) within the mining area.

Read Also: Waste Sortation Facility Agincourt Resources’ Innovation in Sustainable Waste Management

From June 2024 to May 2025, approximately 71% of the total waste entering the WSF can be recycled or resold. The WSF, managed by a local vendor, also processes waste into economically valuable products such as Eco Enzyme, maggots, furniture, and compost.

“Since 2 years ago, we have prohibited employees and contractors from using single-use plastic bottles in the workplace and required them to use refillable bottles,” said Rahmat.

As part of the World Environment Day celebration series, PTAR also released 1,000 jurung fish into the lubuk larangan in Garoga Village, and planted 500 tree seedlings, including sugar palm (aren), durian, avocado, matoa (Pometia pinnata), jengkol (Archidendron pauciflorum), and mangosteen.

Garoga Village was chosen as the commemoration location cannot be separated from its achievement as the 1st Place winner of the Eco-Friendly Village Competition held by PTAR in 2024. Garoga Village is considered capable of creating a clean and healthy environment through various efforts, including establishing a waste bank, cultivating family medicinal plants, and conserving water in the Garoga River.

The Regent of South Tapanuli, Gus Irawan, welcomed PTAR’s initiative to reduce plastic waste through community-involved recycling education. He emphasized the importance of solid collaboration between companies, local governments, and communities in creating a cleaner and more sustainable environment.

“Efforts to reduce plastic waste are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.” Meanwhile, tree planting is a tangible way to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. This is not just a step for today, but a long-term investment for the future of our children and grandchildren,” he said.

The post Agincourt Resources Launches Heartfelt Ecobrick Action: 10,000 Bottles for the Earth appeared first on Agincourt Resources.

Read Also : Silver Award for Eco Cycle Innovation at Eco-tech Pioneer Sustainability Awards (EPSA) 2023 Application of Sawdust as Carbon Sources for Domestic Waste Composting in Waste Sortation Facility Martabe – Agincourt Resources

Unfortunately, these benefits also pose a serious challenge. Plastic is not easily biodegradable, allowing it to persist in nature for hundreds of years—outlasting human lifespans. In Indonesia, plastic waste is one of the most prominent pollutants, especially in our rivers and oceans. Data shows that Indonesia ranks among the world’s largest contributors of plastic waste to the sea. This crisis not only causes visible environmental degradation but also threatens marine life and, alarmingly, may return to humans through the food chain. Hence, it is essential for us to understand the different types of plastic to manage them more effectively for the sake of our planet and collective well-being.

Understanding Plastic Codes: A Practical Guide to Sorting Waste 

Most plastic packaging displays a code—a number from 1 to 7—usually located at the bottom. These codes indicate the type of plastic and how easily it can be recycled. Let’s take a closer look: 

1.PET or PETE (Code 1): Polyethylene Terephthalate 

Commonly used for mineral water and soft drink bottles, PET is clear, lightweight, and easy to process. It is one of the most recyclable types of plastic, often reused to make fabric fibers or new bottles. 

2.HDPE (Code 2): High-Density Polyethylene 

Found in milk bottles, water gallons, and soap containers, HDPE is known for its strength and durability. It is recyclable into products like buckets, pipes, and flower pots. 

3.PVC (Code 3): Polyvinyl Chloride 

Typically found in water pipes and meat wrap films, PVC is strong but contains harmful chemicals that may leach. Recycling PVC is difficult, and incinerating it can release toxic substances. 

4. LDPE (Code 4): Low-Density Polyethylene 

Often used for plastic bags and bread bags, LDPE is flexible, thin, and lightweight. Though less frequently recycled due to cost and complexity, it can still be reused. 

5. PP (Code 5): Polypropylene 

Used in bottle caps, food containers, and straws, PP is heat-resistant and strong. It is also recyclable and can be repurposed into a variety of products. 

6. PS (Code 6): Polystyrene 

Found in foam food containers and disposable coffee cups, PS is lightweight but brittle. It breaks down easily into small particles and is difficult to recycle, often polluting the environment. 

7.Other (Code 7): Mixed Plastics 

This category includes plastics made from a mix of resins, such as polycarbonate water jugs, CD cases, and various composites. Recycling is challenging due to their varied composition, depending heavily on the dominant material. 

Plastic Waste in Indonesia: What Are We Throwing Away the Most? 

According to waste management studies and reports, the most common types of plastic waste in Indonesia are: 

• LDPE (Code 4) and HDPE (Code 2): Predominantly found in plastic bags, snack wrappers, and household product packaging. 

• PP (Code 5): Frequently used in food packaging, plastic straws, and bottle caps. 

• PET (Code 1): Commonly derived from bottled water and other beverages. 

These types of plastic often end up in landfills, rivers, and oceans. Alarmingly, most of this waste is not properly managed, leading to significant environmental pollution. This highlights the urgent need for ongoing public education and stronger policies on reducing single-use plastics at both the community and industrial levels. 

Why Understanding Plastic Types Matters 

By identifying plastic types, we can: 

• Sort waste correctly: A crucial first step in effective recycling. 
• Reduce harmful plastic use: Allowing us to choose more environmentally friendly alternatives. 
• Support recycling processes: Making it easier for waste handlers and recycling industries. 
• Protect the environment and living beings: Small individual actions can lead to significant ecological impacts. 

Plastic is undoubtedly useful, but its use must be responsible and informed. Avoid indiscriminate disposal! Start by recognizing plastic types, reducing usage, and supporting recycling efforts. This can begin with small daily habits—bringing your own shopping bag, avoiding single-use straws, and sorting household waste.

 Read Also : National Waste Care Day 2024 Eco Camp: A Campaign to Reduce Waste  – Agincourt Resources

The global campaign “Beat Plastic Pollution” launched by the United Nations calls for immediate action from all sectors of society. We cannot simply wait for governments or industries to act alone. Each of us plays a vital role—at home, in schools, offices, and communities. Let’s move together toward a cleaner, healthier planet!

The post Getting to Know the Plastics Around Us: A Waste Management Guide for a Healthier Planet appeared first on Agincourt Resources.