The PLASMA-B Program Conducts Education on Waste Reduction, Sorting, and Hazards at SDN 211 Central Maluku

Central Maluku, 11 November 2025 – The PLASMA-B Program (Protecting Biodiversity in the Central Maluku Region through Plastic Waste Management) is an initiative of the Bina Karta Lestari Foundation, implemented in collaboration with the local organization Toma Majo Lease, with funding support from UK OCEAN. The program aims to address plastic pollution that threatens both terrestrial and marine ecosystems in Central Maluku. Plastic waste, particularly when poorly managed in coastal villages and small island communities, poses a serious threat to biodiversity, especially to endemic species and conservation areas.

The PLASMA-B Program conducted environmental education activities at SDN 211 Central Maluku as part of its efforts to raise awareness among elementary school students about the importance of reducing single-use plastic waste, practicing waste segregation from an early age, and understanding the negative impacts of waste on human health and the environment.

The activity was attended by 65 students from grades 1 to 6, along with accompanying teachers, and was conducted interactively through visual storytelling, the screening of educational videos, question-and-answer sessions, and hands-on practice in sorting waste by type.

During the activity, the PLASMA-B team introduced the 3R concept (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), promoted the use of reusable tumblers to reduce single-use plastic, and conducted simple demonstrations on sorting organic and inorganic waste. The children were also encouraged to understand the dangers of burning waste, plastic pollution in the ocean, and its impacts on humans, animals, and ecosystems.

“I am very grateful to the team for providing waste management education to the children,” said Ms. Christina Siwabessy, Principal of SDN 211 Central Maluku.

In addition to the educational materials, the activity also included waste-sorting games and a commitment session in which students, together with teachers, expressed their readiness to practice waste segregation at school and to bring their own drinking bottles to reduce single-use plastic waste.

The Principal of SDN 211 Central Maluku welcomed the collaboration and expressed hope for follow-up actions, including the provision of waste sorting facilities by the village administration and the establishment of regular habits among students. “We are pleased that this activity not only provides knowledge but also encourages real action in our school,” she said.

The PLASMA-B Program will continue similar educational activities in other schools across the Saparua and East Saparua regions, as well as Banda Naira, as part of the campaign “Reduce Waste, Bring Your Own Drinking Bottle.” It is hoped that, starting from schools and with the active participation of children, this initiative will encourage waste reduction and management efforts to support the protection of biodiversity in the Central Maluku region.