Trinseo | Trinseo + COMMUNITY: Making Handicraft from Recycled Polystyrene Materials with Trinseo

October 03, 2019

Trinseo + COMMUNITY: Making Handicraft from Recycled Polystyrene Materials with Trinseo

Following the success in Bali last year, PT Trinseo Materials Indonesia organized its second art class, this time for SD Taruna Bakti, an elementary school in Bandung, Indonesia on September 12, 2019. Approximately 100 students gathered in the school hall for the art class, learning more about the scientific facts and recyclability of Polystyrene (PS) foam food packaging and creating beautiful pictures from PS-based food packaging waste. The event date was picked to also celebrate in advance the World Rhino Day (September 22), the special day to celebrate rhinos in their own unique ways.

“I sincerely hope the activity today will open the eyes and minds of our children and all of us about the facts of PS foam and the importance of recycling. Responsible human behavior relating to waste disposal and a proper solid waste management system are of prime importance. We are very excited to see children enjoying the day with us,” said Hanggara Sukandar, President Director, PT Trinseo Materials Indonesia.

PS is a common plastic packaging material which can be recycled and reused in the production of picture frames, housings of remote controls, clothes hangers, and insulation materials. Trinseo aimed at educating the next generation on recycling plastic waste in a meaningful way by collaborating with Mr Eko Herry Waluyo who expressed that he is strongly supportive for events that are able to combine creativity and waste materials. The 54-year art teacher started his journey in this field in 1990.

Art Students

"During my 29 years in this field, I believe that the act of recycling should be taught from an early stage to grow children’s sense of responsibility. I hope in the future more and more event will follow Trinseo on educating the children to create something more valuable with PS foam waste," he said.

Ms. Irma Meirani, S. Pd, the headmaster of SD Taruna Bakti also said that SD Taruna Bakti was happy to be a part of the activities. "We are happy to be a part of the art class activities made from used PS foam waste. This recycling activity has helped our students bring out their creativity as well as enhancing their awareness of the environment. In addition, this activity is in line with our school's vision of becoming an eco-friendly school. As a school that has won the Adiwiyata at the Provincial Level, SD Taruna Bakti continues to educate and encourage all school residents and the community to preserve the environment."

Since 2010, Trinseo has been a proud member of the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care® program, a voluntary initiative of the global chemical industry designed to improve Environmental Health and Safety performance for facilities, processes, and products. Trinseo has made a pledge to the environmental stewardship program, Operation Clean Sweep®, an international program focused on preventing plastics pellet loss with the objective of keeping plastics granules out of the marine environment, including the world’s oceans, seas and rivers.

With plastics and latex manufacturing facilities in Merak, Indonesia, Trinseo is committed to being a good neighbor locally and globally, while helping to address solutions to global issues. Trinseo is also a supporter of the Marine Litter Solutions Coalition, the plastic industry’s initiative for the protection of seas and oceans.

To view the fun and inspiring event in a video news report, click here (in Bahasa Indonesia).

Students