Waste to Worth: PME Introduces Wood-Waste Recycling Innovation to Strengthen Children’s Literacy in Balikpapan

PT Pertamina Marine Engineering (PME), a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Trans Kontinental (PTK), carried out the LiberaSEA: Waste to Worth program on 30–31 October 2025 in East Balikpapan. This program is part of PME’s Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) initiatives, focusing on transforming waste into useful products while improving the quality of community education. Through this initiative, PME distributed 20 desks made from recycled wood waste and more than 200 reading books to students at TPA Ahlusunnah Aljamaah, TPA Al Muwammah, and MI Ibnu Umar.

The initiative was pioneered by PME’s Legal and Relation function in collaboration with the Waste Management team. Wood waste from construction projects was processed into functional furniture such as desks and cabinets, helping reduce waste buildup while providing direct benefits to educational institutions.

“Every material, no matter how insignificant it may seem, can bring great value when processed properly. Through this program, we aim to create positive impacts for both the environment and education,” said Indri Handayani, Head of Legal and Relation PME.

In addition to providing furniture and reading materials, PME also conducted a Waste to Worth awareness session introducing students to the principles of 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). This educational activity aims to instill early awareness of environmental preservation and the wise use of waste. The Principal of MI Ibnu Umar expressed appreciation for PME’s support, stating that it “encourages students’ enthusiasm for reading while providing hands-on learning about proper waste management.”

PME Director Heri Santika Permana emphasized that this program reflects the company’s commitment to promoting literacy, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment. The Waste to Worth initiative also aligns with the LiberaSEA program introduced by Pertamina Group’s Subholding Integrated Marine Logistics (SH IML), which focuses on improving access to literacy through the provision of books and learning facilities.

Through Waste to Worth, PME demonstrates its commitment to fostering sustainable innovation, transforming waste into value, and making a tangible contribution to communities around its operational areas.