From his modest workshop, Ahmad Iskandar capable of producing more than 900 flower vases every month. Goods made of old plastic is sold to a number of areas in East Kalimantan. Now, his wish is only one, namely the production and enlarge markets.

The idea of the father of six children to be involved with plastic waste originated from when he participated in exhibitions in the framework of National Environment Day in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, July 2008. At that time, Iskandar who represents the City of Balikpapan see a lot of recycled products from other regions who participated on display.

However, as long as the eye could see, recycled products such conventional its form, from tablecloths, plastic bags, to any other product that has been on the market. That's when the previous Iskandar occurred to cultivate ornamental plants to create something different and better than the existing. Fell option to make vases.

He was later to learn many things about the plastic. He tried to find out what can be made from plastic waste, how to process them, until the danger of what could be caused by it. Alexander spent several months for trial before finally managed to make products that are considered perfect.

Met at his home, Jalan Sungai AMD Ampal No. 68, City of Aberdeen, on Monday (8/16/2010), Muara Muntai gentleman born, 57 years ago, it shows a number of homemade vase. There are about 20 kinds of shapes, ranging in size from 25 centimeters tall with a diameter of 12 centimeters to 45 centimeters tall with a diameter of 40 centimeters.

Recycled goods was painted and given a picture, among other flowers to typical Dayak motif. Apart from flower vases, Iskandar also try to make other products in the form of natural or artificial stone which is called marmo. Marmo usually affixed to the walls of the house as a mere ornament or to coat the floor such as tile.

By Iskandar, the products are sold starting from Rp 25,000 per piece for flower vases and Rp 175,000 per square meter for marmo. In addition to the market, it sold its products to local government offices and exhibition. "So far the new marketing to Samarinda, Bontang, Sanggata, and Tenggarong. That percentage is even larger vase, "he said.

Method for making la vase Iskandar is quite simple. The plastic waste that has accumulated until it's cooked into a paste. After that the paste is poured into the mold made of cement. Once hardened, a new mold to be released later have to be final. To smooth the sandpaper, and resins used to close the pores.

All plastic waste melting process takes advantage of manual equipment in the form of a gas stove and pans 18 inches in diameter. There are four sets of gas stove in the garage Iskandar. How to melt the plastic was quite brief. To melt a plastic pan takes about 20 minutes, while for the process of formation takes 10 minutes.

Plastic waste of different types were previously divided into three parts, namely solid plastic, such as oil bottle, soft plastics, such as mineral water bottles, and plastic-coated foil, such as snack packs. After that rubbish that has a cavity, such as lubricating oil bottle, cut into small pieces so as not to take place.

"Of the three sections of plastic is then mixed with a certain ratio. This comparison is important enough to be mixed with a good plastic and hardened. For, if most of the solid waste, will not be so, "he said.

For once the process of smelting, Iskandar can spend 150-200 pounds depending on the supply of plastic waste. Of that number about 300 vases created with the details of a flower vase need 0.5 kilograms of raw material waste.

Admittedly, the availability of plastic waste into one of the obstacles faced. Balikpapan City is quite small, with the number of residents who are not too large, making the waste generated is still limited. Therefore, Alexander tried to embrace the strategy by housewives and scavengers as the main supplier of raw materials.

Iskandar also socialize to residents in the Village Sumberejo-region where he lived, about the importance of plastic waste. Citizens reminded to vote and collect rubbish that can still be used. Collected waste is delivered to homes Iskandar. As a form of reward and motivate people, Iskandar pay Rp 1,000 for every kilogram of waste.

"Previously, I only buy junk for Rp 500 per kilogram from residents in the city and Rp 1,000 for residents who are on the seafront. The goal is that citizens do not throw garbage into the sea. However, in its development, residents who are in town less motivated to collect garbage. Finally, since one year ago the price is comparable, "he said.

In addition to raw materials, other constraints faced by Iskandar is the lack of equipment. With the equipment available today obviously the product is still limited. Therefore, numerous attempts have been made to achieve greater business with the tools manufacturer, one of which makes the business entity into CV Prima Executive with a view to strengthening the position when there are third parties who want to work together.

Recycle waste into new products not only be a solution to create new jobs because Iskandar already has six employees. More than that, making recycled products is an effort to conserve the environment.