PGN Promotes Circular Economy through Plastic Waste Management
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (Persero) Tbk (PGN) is strengthening its commitment to implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles through a plastic waste management programme that processes waste into useful products. This step is taken to promote more sustainable environmental management while reinforcing the application of circular economy principles in the company and community environments.
The programme is carried out through an integrated plastic waste management system, starting from sorting by PGN employees, collection and management with Kertabumi Recycling Centre, to final processing with Bank Sampah Al-Bustaniyah.
PGN Corporate Secretary Fajriyah Usman stated that the programme is not only an environmental management activity but also part of efforts to build a sustainability culture within the company environment.
“Through cross-functional collaboration and the application of circular economy principles, we aim to build a more responsible work ecosystem, increase internal ESG awareness, and create added value from waste into beneficial resources,” said Fajriyah in an official statement on Wednesday (7/5/2026).
“This programme also represents PGN’s tangible commitment to delivering sustainable social and environmental impacts,” she continued.
Fajriyah hopes that the programme can increase public awareness of the importance of managing plastic waste more wisely.
“We hope that through this initiative, public awareness of the importance of protecting the environment will increase further, thereby encouraging the public to manage plastic waste more wisely,” she said.
Ikbal Alexander from Kertabumi Recycling Centre explained that, based on data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, unmanaged waste generation reaches 109 tonnes per day, or about 75 per cent of total waste generation. This situation triggers various environmental problems, from pollution to the risk of ecosystem damage due to plastic waste accumulation.
According to Ikbal, waste problems cannot be solved individually and require involvement from companies, communities, and the public.
“Waste problems cannot be solved on our own. Collaboration is needed between companies, communities, and the public to build more responsible waste management habits and promote the application of a circular economy that provides real environmental impacts,” said Ikbal.
“We see programmes like this as very important to help reduce plastic waste generation while promoting sustainable circular economy practices through more responsible and valuable waste management,” he added.
On the other hand, Editor of National Geographic Indonesia, Ade Sulaeman, said that plastic waste issues now not only pollute the environment but also pose a threat to human health. Based on several studies presented, microplastic and nanoplastic particles have been found in the air, rainwater, and even human bloodstreams.
Ade considers cross-sector collaboration as one of the important steps to strengthen plastic waste reduction through education and increased public awareness.
“Plastic waste problems cannot be solved by one party alone. Strong collaboration is needed to build changes in public behaviour,” said Ade.
“What PGN is doing is a positive step in increasing environmental awareness as well as promoting sustainability,” he continued.