Press Release

Tanjung Enim, October 14, 2025 – PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainable development through community empowerment and environmental conservation. 

One of its latest initiatives is the Training on 9R Implementation and Processing Litter into Compost Fertilizer for community groups under the Bara Agro Circular Group Program, held at the Bukit Asam Main Building in Tanjung Enim on Friday (October 10, 2025). 

Ajis Purnomo, Sustainable Community Development Section Head at PTBA, emphasized the importance of implementing the 9R principles — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Replace, Repair, Rethink, Replant, Reteach, and Refuse — as a concrete effort to foster sustainable behavior within the community. 

“PTBA is committed to encouraging its fostered communities to become pioneers in waste management based on the circular economy concept. Through this training, we hope to inspire local innovations that can turn waste into value while strengthening community economic independence,” said Ajis. 

The training brought together 25 participants from six PTBA-assisted areas: Tanjung Raja Village, Pasar Tanjung Enim Subdistrict, Tanjung Enim Selatan Subdistrict, Darmo Village, Seleman Village, Tanjung Karangan Village, and Tanjung Agung Village. The participants represented groups actively engaged in seedling cultivation, quail farming, fishery, and maggot farming within the Bara Agro Circular Group ecosystem. 

Building an “I Am Zero Waste” Mindset 
According to Ajis, the training not only equipped participants with technical skills but also raised awareness of adopting an “I Am Zero Waste” lifestyle — a small yet impactful step toward a cleaner, more productive, and economically resilient environment. 

Turning Waste into Added Value 
Arif Ayatullah, Revegetation Technician Entry at PTBA, led the session with presentations and hands-on practice on how to process leaf litter and organic waste into compost fertilizer with economic value. Participants learned about sorting, fermentation, and reusing organic waste to support integrated farming activities in their respective villages.

Strong Community Enthusiasm for the 9R Program 
One of the participants, Mrs. Tuti from the Utun Makmur Women Farmers Group (KWT), expressed her enthusiasm about the training. 

“We used to think that leaf litter and livestock waste were just garbage. After this training, we’ve learned that all of it can be turned into compost that benefits our farms and businesses. The process is simple, low-cost, and produces amazing results,” she said excitedly. 

She added that the program broadened the group’s perspective on both environmental care and income opportunities.

“We want to apply the 9R concept in our village. When waste is utilized, the environment becomes cleaner, plants thrive, and our group’s economy grows,” she added. 

A Real Manifestation of the Circular Economy in PTBA’s Fostered Villages 
The Bara Agro Circular Group is a PTBA Sustainability initiative that integrates the sectors of seedling cultivation, livestock, fishery, and maggot farming into a single circular agricultural system. Through the 9R approach and the use of organic waste as compost, the program aims to create cleaner, more productive, and economically empowered communities. 

This activity also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). 

“By applying the 9R principles and processing waste into compost, PT Bukit Asam is fostering a circular village economy that reduces waste generation, increases production efficiency, and creates a healthier and more sustainable environment,” concluded Ajis.