17 June 2025
In commemoration of World Environment Day (WED) 2025, Harita Nickel once again held its Harita Mengajar (Harita Teaching) program. In this knowledge-sharing initiative, Harita Nickel employees educate students living near the company’s operations. This year’s theme was “Stop Plastic Pollution.” The educational session targeted students from Loji Permai Junior High School and Tunas Muda Senior High School in Kawasi Village, Obi Island, South Halmahera, and took place on Monday, June 16, at the New Kawasi Village Health Sub-Center hall.
Aldico Putra Ganesha, chairperson of this event, explained that the program was specifically designed to instill environmental awareness in the younger generation from an early age. “We believe that significant change can begin with simple actions, like throwing waste in the right place, reducing the use of single-use plastics, and spreading this awareness to family and the wider community,” Aldico stated.
The first session was led by Lentina Simangunsong from Harita Nickel’s Environment Compliance and Reporting team. She explained the types of plastics, their non-biodegradable nature, and the environmental harm they cause. “Single-use plastics may be convenient, but their ecological footprint can last longer than a human lifetime,” she emphasized.
The second session was presented by Ricky Danang Pratama, a Conservation Specialist at Harita Nickel, who discussed the impact of waste on biodiversity. Ricky shared real-life examples, ranging from sea turtles entangled in plastic nets to land animals like monkeys injured by human waste. “By understanding real-world cases, we hope students become more aware that small actions can have a significant impact on the environment around them,” Ricky explained.
The event became even more engaging when students showcased creative products made from waste materials collected in their surroundings. These included pencil holders made from used bottles, piggy banks from cans, tissue boxes, and wall decorations crafted from inorganic waste. The creations not only demonstrated creativity but also served as proof that waste can be repurposed when approached with awareness and care.
Servin Langkodi, Principal of Loji Permai Junior High School, expressed his appreciation during his opening remarks. “From this event, we hope students truly understand that protecting the environment is their responsibility to the Earth and the future. Hopefully, this will be the first step toward making them agents of change in their communities,” he said.
Through the Harita Mengajar program, Harita Nickel emphasizes the importance of providing environmental education to school students. By engaging the younger generation, the company hopes the spirit of environmental stewardship will not end with this event, but will grow into a lasting awareness throughout Kawasi and its surrounding areas.
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