Tanjung Uma community revives coastal hope through waste transformation on World Environment & Ocean Day 2025
In the forgotten alleys of Tanjung Uma, a powerful movement is reshaping the narrative of environmental neglect. On June 14, 2025, hundreds of volunteers gathered not just to clean waste, but to build a legacy—one that speaks louder than plastic and stronger than apathy.
A Movement Born from Waste
On a quiet Saturday morning, with the sun still hiding behind thick clouds, the narrow lanes of Tanjunguma, Batam, echoed with determined footsteps. Nearly 200 volunteers, armed with gloves and grit, stepped into a cleanup drive that meant more than just tidying the streets. It was a celebration of World Environment Day and World Ocean Day 2025—an annual effort brought to life under the Tanjung Uma Empowerment CSR program by PT BatamOn Global Group, which began in September 2023.
The goal: reclaim the coastal neighborhood from years of neglect and redefine its relationship with nature.
Champions of Change
Leading the charge was Yusri Ivori Adinata, a committed member of a student nature lovers’ group (Mapala). His words echoed the movement’s soul: “We’re not just explorers or climbers—we’re guardians. Our legacy isn’t buildings or fame, but a living environment.”
Beside him, hands muddy and resolve steady, stood residents of all ages. For them, the effort wasn’t charity—it was stewardship.
Waste Turned Into Art
At the heart of the initiative was Sri Hartini, affectionately called Tini. The 50-year-old homemaker turned environmental artist, she showcased five handcrafted dresses—each made from plastic waste. “I started at home, seeing trash pile up,” she told Batam Pos. What began as a personal quest became a quiet revolution.
Her works, ranging from keychains to ecoprint fabrics, have reached buyers as far as Tanjung Pinang and Jakarta. Prices range from IDR 5,000 to several hundred thousand (up to ~SGD 40), but Tini values something else more: “At least now I don’t need to buy floor mats,” she joked.
Training the Next Generation
In addition to waste collection, participants joined workshops on upcycling—transforming used cooking oil into fragrant soap and learning how to craft from everyday garbage. The goal was clear: build a sustainable habit, not a one-time campaign.
Winda Sari, Project Executive of the initiative, hopes the effort plants deeper roots. “One day, I want locals to lead the training themselves,” she said. Her vision is a self-reliant, environmentally conscious Tanjung Uma.
Tangible Impact, Deeper Meaning
By the end of the day, 685 kilograms of waste had been collected. But what mattered more was the message left behind: that even in the most overlooked corners of urban life, restoration is possible. The project didn’t just clean the streets—it rekindled dignity. Color, creativity, and community converged to make waste beautiful, meaningful, and empowering.
The Tanjunguma initiative is a beacon for Indonesia and neighboring Singapore. It proves that environmental responsibility isn’t exclusive to policymakers or NGOs. When local voices rise, when communities see value in waste, true change begins. Efforts like Tanjung Uma Empowerment Program in Batam continue to strengthen this momentum by integrating education, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Similarly, Livingseas Foundation in Bali exemplifies how grassroots marine conservation—anchored in community involvement—can preserve and rebuild what’s been lost. These interconnected missions remind us that restoration is not only possible, but sustainable when driven by purpose and people. Sponsored by Reson8 Asia
Sources:
[1] Warisan yang Tersisa dari Sampah: Suara Alam dari Tanjunguma
Keywords: Hope Rises From Waste
