ATMI Recycle Studio:

In a corner of ATMI Cikarang Industrial Polytechnic campus lies the ATMI Recycle Studio (ARS), a space dedicated to recycling plastic waste and promoting new ways of thinking among students. Here, plastic bottle caps are gathered, sorted, and transformed into useful products. Although the recycling process can be slow and often challenging, students gain hands-on learning experiences and understand that discarded items can be repurposed. This realization encourages a mindset shift, seeing waste as a starting point for new possibilities rather than an endpoint.

Initiated by Father Kristiono Puspo, S. J., and his team, ARS emphasizes how our connection with everyday objects reflects our outlook on life. When people recognize that value can be found in unlikely places, they learn that hard plastic can be melted and reshaped into valuable items. This experience teaches students the virtues of patience, persistence, and the importance of embracing challenges. They come to understand that the world can be improved rather than merely accepted as it is.

ARS also fosters ecological awareness by involving students in sustainable practices. Rather than just learning from lectures, they engage in the actual recycling process, witnessing the energy and care needed to turn plastic waste into beneficial products. This hands-on experience highlights the impact of their choices on the environment.

Beyond the environmental focus, ARS also has a significant social dimension. The items created are sold, with the profits supporting scholarships for students from less privileged backgrounds. Since its launch in 2021, the initiative has generated 300 million rupiah in revenue, produced around 30 recycled products, funded scholarships for about 20 students, and engaged another 20 students in various activities. This cycle links environmental action, education, and community support, demonstrating how recovered waste can bring hope and opportunities to people’s lives.

The experience at ARS highlights the values of diverse Ignatian education, shared by Anton, a student at ATMI. He felt welcomed by Father Kris, S. J., and was able to express his creativity, initially working as a ‘draftsman’ but eventually contributing more ideas and products. Anton gained happiness from learning to make products from plastic waste, valuing both creativity and problem-solving. He appreciated the freedom to create, learned to accept failure, and valued successful outcomes.

Students working at ARS confront personal challenges and develop patience, persistence, and open-mindedness through the learning process. This space allows for learning that connects intellect with emotional growth and practical life skills. ARS welcomes students of all levels from Polin ATMI who wish to learn and develop.

Though ARS may seem simple, with basic tools and materials, its strength lies in the small, consistent changes it inspires. Students learn their role in caring for the world and are encouraged to take initiative in creating change from what is available to them. ARS is not just about recycling plastic but also about changing perspectives on life, instilling values, hope, and a commitment to caring for the environment. The aim is for students to become skilled individuals and more aware, fostering a sustainable future through their experiences and the products they create from waste.