News

Tarhilala Community Party, Invites Communities to Manage Waste Responsibly

11 Jan 2023

The Tarhilala Waste Bank in collaboration with the Toba Regency Government succeeded in holding the Tarhilala Community Party on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 with the theme TOBA SHINES, WE SORT WASTE, WE TAKE CARE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT. This activity is fully supported by PTT Exploration and Production Public (PTTEP) Indonesia, an oil and gas company owned by the Government of Thailand who is helping with waste management in the Lake Toba area as a form of support for the Lake Toba Super Priority Tourism Area (KPSP).

With passion and determination towards sustainable growth, PTTEP Indonesia operates with a view to creating the right balance between business, social and environmental aspects and shared values for stakeholders. That is why PTTEP Indonesia takes part in managing waste, not only for the environment but as an income generator for the people of Toba.

PTTEP has set targets to reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% in 2030 and 50% in 2040 (from the 2020 base year) and achieve Net Zero Emissions in 2050.

In order to reach that goal, PTTEP set forth two plans that are embedded in our business strategy. The first is exploring for low carbon E&P portfolio, where new projects with an emphasis on natural gas and greenhouse gas intensity are factored into the investment decision-making process. The second plan is committed to the concept of production and planet in balance, where we pursue the development of technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the production process, in particular Carbon Capture and Storage which will dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Support and cooperation between the government, the private sector, and the community are indeed vital factors for the success of this program,” said General Manager of PTTEP Indonesia, Grinchai Hattagam.

This event was held to foster the relationship between all stakeholders, namely the local government, private sector, community leaders, business actors, and all communities who have been involved in the integrated waste management and education program that has been implemented for the last 2 (two) years in the Toba District.

"All forms of waste must be of particular concern. Through activities such as the Tarhilala Community Party which is currently being held today, it is to further inspire all people to be responsible for waste and have more economic value by disposing it in the Waste Bank," said Sinta Saptarina Soemiarno, Director of Waste Reduction of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry at the Tarhilala Community Party.

Implementing the concept of Cheap Groceries Bazaar and Pay with Garbage, the activity was held at the D.I. Monument Complex Panjaitan, Balige, Toba Regency, where people can buy groceries at low prices and pay using garbage. The waste that can be exchanged is inorganic waste which is divided into 4 categories which are Plastic, Paper, Glass Bottles and Metal.

The series of activities include MSME Exhibition, Live Music, Door prizes and other interesting activities. In addition, this event also presented awards in the form of business capital to the 10 best MSMEs that have participated in the business incubation program which was held in October - November 2022.

"This event was held with the support of the Regional Government of Toba Regency, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and PTTEP from Thailand, and specifically Tarhilala Waste Bank, has been supporting our program for two years. By sorting our waste, we could easily manage it, and moreover we can reduce the waste sent to Danau Toba landfill. And by managing waste, we can maintain the beauty and sustainability of Danau Toba," concluded the Director of PT Solusi Rahayu Indonesia, Febriyanti SR.

The Tarhilala Community Party was attended by Assistant Deputy for Waste and Waste Management of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, Rofi Alhanif, S.Pi., M.Sc., Director of Waste Reduction of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ir. Sinta Saptarina Soemiarno, M.Sc., Regent of Toba Regency Ir. Poltak Sitorus who was represented by his staff, General Manager of PTTEP Indonesia, Grinchai Hattagam, Director of PT Solusi Rahayu Indonesia, Febriyanti SR, as well as all heads of Ministry divisions of Toba Regency government.

This event brought together 300 people and involving 15 MSME exhibitions from Toba Regency.