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As one of the five super priority destinations, Labuan Bajo is famous for its natural beauty such as Komodo National Park, as well as stunning sea panoramas. To increase tourism in Labuan Bajo, a supportive environmental program such as waste management must be implemented.

PTT Exploration and Production, an oil and gas company from Thailand together with PT. INGRAM (Inovasi Gerakan Masyarakat) inaugurated the Innovative Waste Sorting Program (POSITIF). With enthusiasm and determination to support sustainable programs, PTTEP Indonesia plays an active role in creating the right balance between business, social, and environmental aspects and shared values ??for stakeholders. Therefore, PTTEP Indonesia eagerly participates in managing waste in Labuan Bajo, and previously also succeeded in contributing to the waste processing program in Toba Regency, North Sumatra.

The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment encourages this program to be implemented in Labuan Bajo because Labuan Bajo is one of the super-priority destinations as announced by the central government which continues to develop but has problems related to waste management. The presence of this program is designed to collaborate with the community to understand waste problems and how to handle and process them from home.

"Labuan Bajo now has more and more tourists, more hotels, and piles of rubbish are increasing. On the other hand, in my opinion, we need to improve the processing system again. We need to synergize with the local government, the community, or the private sector," said Rofi.

The West Manggarai Regency Government expressed his appreciation to the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, as well as PTTEP for the initiative to help the local government overcome the waste problem in Labuan Bajo. "This is a joint movement to care about the waste problem, both the government in the community and the private sector to collaborate in processing waste," said Acting Regent of West Manggarai Ondy Christian Siagian. According to him, good waste processing is a sign that Labuan Bajo environment is ready to receive tourists.

This event was attended by the Assistant Deputy for Environmental and Forestry Management, Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, Mr. Rofi Alhanif, Head of the Center for Environmental and Forestry Generation Development, Director of Destination Management, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Regent of West Manggarai, Chairperson of the West Manggarai PKK, Head of the District LH Service, West Manggarai Regency Office and related teams, Head of the District Tourism Office and related teams, Head of the West Manggarai Regency Education, Youth and Sports Service, General Manager of PTTEP Indonesia Mr. Grinchai Hattagam, Village Head and village officials along with local community and community leaders and local schools.

"We are happy and proud to be able to support the Innovative Waste Sorting Program (Positif Project) in Labuan Bajo. And this is our second contribution to supporting the Super Priority Tourism Destination program. We hope that the community can play an active role in sorting waste and support this program so that it is sustainable and can create healthy and clean tourism, as well as improve the economy of the local community," said General Manager of PTTEP Indonesia, Grinchai Hattagam.

At this launching event, there were several activities, namely the Waste Management Education Booth, Cheap Basic Food Bazaar Paying with Trash, and Health Checks Paying with Trash. The aim of this program is as a means of information and education for the public about the importance of waste sorting and as a momentum to introduce the value of "POSITIVE" (Innovative Waste Sorting) to the entire community. As many as 300 people took part in this event and enthusiastically brought inorganic waste from home to be sorted through waste innovatively.

Support for integrated waste management includes education and campaigns for the younger generation in schools, and community assistance to collect and sort waste so that it has economic value through waste selection. The implementation of the 3R pattern (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) cannot be carried out only by the Government and the local Environmental Service but requires community involvement and the role of the private sector. This program also seeks to increase the overall comfort and satisfaction of tourists and residents in Labuan Bajo.