Turning Waste into Blessings: Pertamina Patra Niaga Empowers Communities Near Operational Areas

Pertamina Patra Niaga is demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental preservation and community empowerment through activities in various operational areas. This commitment is implemented via Community Involvement & Development programmes in locations such as Dumai, Kasim, and Makassar. Corporate Secretary Roberth M.V. Dumatubun stated that the commitment is not merely a slogan but has been realised in concrete action. “Pertamina Patra Niaga is partnering with communities around its operational areas to process household waste and refuse, not only making a positive contribution to nature conservation but also serving as a form of long-term community empowerment,” Roberth said. In Riau, specifically in Tanjung Palas Village, Pertamina Patra Niaga Dumai Refinery initiated Posyandu Sehati, which exchanges used cooking oil for supplementary feeding for pregnant women and toddlers. In the same area, the Wirani Rejosari Group is also actively processing organic waste into liquid organic fertiliser. Moving to Southwest Papua, organic waste processing is also carried out by Pertamina Patra Niaga Kasim Refinery in Malabam Village, Seget District, Sorong Regency. Through the MOI (Independent, Optimal, and Integrated) programme, residents of the Wahimu Farmers Group process organic waste from food scraps and vegetable harvests into pig feed for the Kamisalun Livestock Group. Subsequently, the pig manure is processed back into organic fertiliser to support the Wahimu Farmers Group’s agriculture. The commitment to the environment and community empowerment is also realised through the Kampung BERLIAN Programme run by the Makassar Integrated Terminal together with the Tamalabba Village community. This programme provides a solution to the high volume of household waste through an integrated approach, ranging from waste sorting, maggot cultivation via the Tamalabba Organic Centre, management of the Tasberlin waste bank, to the development of urban farming based on hydroponics, aquaponics, and fish cultivation. The programme has successfully transformed the community from mere waste producers into key actors in environmental management. Kampung BERLIAN is able to reduce household waste by up to 6.7 tonnes per month, utilise 4 litres of used cooking oil per month, and save 4,380 kWh of energy through the use of solar power in the hydroponic system. The programme also generates a Social Return on Investment ratio of 1.50, meaning every Rp1 of company investment yields Rp1.50 in social, economic, and environmental benefits for the community.