In commemoration of Heroes' Day on November 10, 2024, PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk (WIKA) introduces the role of Muhammad Guntur or familiarly called Bang Guntur as an inspirational figure in waste management and environmental conservation efforts in Tanjung Burung Village, Tangerang Regency. As the Director of BUMDES Desa Tanjung Burung 2020-2023 and the driving force of the WIKA NV Hub Community Involved Development Program (WIKA Environment Hub), Bang Guntur has turned waste problems into economic opportunities for the local community, as well as providing significant social and environmental impacts.
In 2019, WIKA conducted social mapping in Tanjung Burung Village, Teluk Naga District, Tangerang Regency, and found serious problems in the form of accumulation of waste on the beach of the Cisadane River Estuary. Although this area has great potential as a tourist destination, at that time the beach looked alarming, filled with garbage, most of which came from the Cisadane River which crosses two provinces, Banten and West Java. If left untreated, these piles of garbage will not only pollute the water, but also threaten air quality, as well as reduce the natural charm that should be enjoyed by many people.
Responding to the waste problem in the Cisadane River Estuary, WIKA through the WIKA NV Hub Program collaborates with the Tanjung Burung Village community and Bang Guntur as the administrator of Tabur Banksa (Bank Sampah Tanjung Burung) to manage waste and increase environmental awareness by providing training and advocacy to residents regarding waste sorting and processing of organic and inorganic waste.
Through his innovation and creativity, Bang Guntur then developed Tabur Banksa which provides an opportunity for the community to turn waste into money savings while keeping the environment clean. Thanks to good waste management management and supported by the use of processing machines provided by WIKA, the communities involved have an average additional income of IDR 1,500,000 per month.
In addition, Bang Guntur is also involved in planting mangrove seedlings at the mouth of the Cisadane River, this is done as an effort to reduce beach abrasion. Bang Guntur is also active in educating students from elementary, junior high, high school, and college levels in Tangerang about the importance of waste management for a better life and environment.
The WIKA NV Hub and Sow Banksa program run by Bang Guntur, not only provides economic opportunities through waste management, but invites other parties to collaborate to be involved in overcoming waste problems, especially in the Cisadane River Estuary. This is evidenced by the involvement of the Tangerang Regency Environmental Agency, which also provided assistance in the form of an excavator, as well as the participation of the international music group Coldplay, which donated an interceptor machine in collaboration with The Ocean Cleanup (TOC). This assistance aims to increase the waste processing capacity which is estimated to reach 10 tons per day.
With the spirit of commemorating Heroes' Day, Bang Guntur shows that every individual can be a hero in building a more independent and environmentally friendly society. Through the WIKA NV Hub Program, Bang Guntur and the people of Tanjung Burung Village have proven that effective waste management can provide multiple benefits, namely environmental sustainability and improved socio-economic welfare.
WIKA acts as the main support for Bang Guntur in driving waste management and environmental conservation programs in Tanjung Burung Village. Through this support, WIKA and Bang Guntur are committed to creating a sustainable positive impact on the environment and local communities.