World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Jakarta waste bank lets residents use savings for early learning
In Bidaracina, East Jakarta, Bank Sampah Dahlia 09 turns recycling balances into learning fees at a local early-childhood education centre.
Residents who sort and deposit waste build a balance they can use for reading, writing and maths lessons, tutoring or English clubs.
The program is run by Gitawidya Amalia, who manages the waste bank and leads the education centre.
It is designed to help people who want to learn but have limited money.
Membership grew from 11 to 139 in two years, and Amalia says residents have become more used to sorting their waste.
People also use their balances for local celebrations and basic household needs, including food supplies for Eid.
The scheme links recycling with access to education and everyday needs in the neighbourhood.
Amalia and 14 other participants are in field verification for Jakarta’s 2026 Pilah Olah Sampah Heroes program, with awards due in Jakarta on 10 November.
Bank Sampah Dahlia 09 in East Jakarta lets residents use waste-bank savings to pay for early-learning activities.
The Pintar Sekampung program supports people who want to learn but have limited financial means.
Activities include reading, writing and arithmetic lessons, tutoring, and an English club.
Manager Gitawidya Amalia said the waste bank grew from 11 customers to 139 in two years.
The program is among the environmental initiatives being considered in Jakarta’s 2026 Pilah Olah Sampah Heroes program.
- Who
- Bank Sampah Dahlia 09 and its manager, Gitawidya Amalia, run the program.
- What
- Residents can convert waste-bank savings into payments for learning activities.
- When
- The program was described on November 3, 2026.
- Where
- Bidaracina, Jatinegara, East Jakarta.
- Why
- It helps people who want to learn but have limited financial means.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The waste bank grew from 11 customers to 139, according to Amalia.
Amalia described the Pintar Sekampung program to CNN Indonesia.
CNN Indonesia published its report on the program.
The Pilah Olah Sampah Heroes awards are scheduled to be held in Jakarta.
- Waste bank
- Bank Sampah Dahlia 09
- Location
- Bidaracina, Jatinegara, East Jakarta
- Program
- Pintar Sekampung
- Customers
- Increased from 11 to 139 in two years
- Learning activities
- Reading, writing and arithmetic lessons, tutoring, and an English club
- Awards event
- November 10, 2026, in Jakarta
What people are saying
Pintar Sekampung means you become a waste-bank customer, but your balance is converted into payments for learning activities.
Those who want to learn but have financial limitations can just collect from the waste bank, and then their balance is converted for that.