Bakti Barito Foundation started construction on 12 June 2026 for the new SDN 3 Sukanegla building in Garut Regency, building what it describes as Indonesia's first school from residual plastic waste. The project will transform approximately 15 tons of low-value plastic waste—such as instant noodle wrappers and sachets—into two classrooms and two toilet units. According to an official press release from the foundation, the construction utilizes plastic waste across all structural components, including bricks, floor panels, ceilings, roofs, pipes, window frames, and door frames.
Targeting Low-Value Waste in Local Landfills
The initiative focuses specifically on low-value residual plastics that accumulate most in local landfills, known as TPA. Bakti Barito distinguishes these materials from common recyclables like PET bottles, PP food and beverage containers, and HDPE shampoo bottles and jerrycans. Because items like instant noodle wrappers and sachets have no economic value in the recycling market, scavengers and informal sector workers routinely ignore them. By finding an alternative use for this neglected waste, the project aims to divert tons of plastic waste from the ecosystem and advance the circular economy.
Construction on the school is targeted for completion within a few weeks. The foundation’s June announcement stated that the inauguration was planned for July 2026, coinciding with the start of the new academic year.
Garut Regency Infrastructure and Leadership Goals
Fifi Pangestu, Executive Director of Bakti Barito, emphasized during her remarks that environmental innovations must deliver positive impacts and tangible benefits directly to local residents. She praised the Garut Regency Government for showing the courage to pioneer this solution. “Change can happen when citizens, innovators, governments, and the private sector walk together,” Pangestu said, describing the challenge as an opportunity to build something valuable for future generations.
Established in 2011, Bakti Barito is the philanthropic arm of Barito Pacific Group, an integrated energy company comprising entities such as Chandra Asri Group, Barito Renewables, Star Energy Geothermal, Griya Idola, Petrindo Jaya Kreasi, Petrosea, and Indo Raya Tenaga. Guided by founders Prajogo Pangestu and his wife Harlina Tjandinegara, the foundation hopes this project will serve as a catalyst to inspire other Indonesian regions to tackle the waste problem through eco-friendly infrastructure development.
Did You Know? The project focuses on low-value plastics like instant noodle wrappers and sachets that accumulate most in local landfills (TPA) and have no economic value in the recycling market.
Low-value residual plastics and structural components used in school construction
What type of plastic waste is used for the school?
The project targets low-value residual plastics that have no economic value in the recycling market, such as instant noodle wrappers and sachets.
Which structural parts of the school contain plastic waste?
According to the foundation, every structural component uses plastic waste, including bricks, floor panels, ceilings, roofs, pipes, window frames, and door frames.
When was the groundbreaking held and when is the school scheduled to open?
The groundbreaking took place on 12 June 2026, with construction targeted for completion within a few weeks and an inauguration planned for July 2026 at the start of the new academic year.
How might local communities across Indonesia adapt this model to address their own accumulating landfill waste?
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