Jakarta, July 2, 2024 - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) is organizing the Zero Waste Zero Emission (ZWZE) Festival 2024, an event that is aimed to promote innovative solutions in waste and hazardous waste management. With the theme "Resolving the Climate Crisis with Innovation and the Principle of Justice", the festival was held to commemorate World Environment Day and aims to increase public awareness and participation in supporting a circular economy.
The festival featured various educational activities such as waste management technology exhibitions, hands-on consultations on waste management procedures, and entertainment representing Indonesia's rich culture. The event is also a platform for central and local governments, businesses, and communities to collaborate in finding the best solutions to address environmental issues.
One of the participants in this festival is APP Group through PT Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk (IKPP) Serang, which collaborates with its partner, the Digital Waste Bank (BSD). The collaboration between IKPP Serang and BSD has been running since October 2022, focusing on managing paper waste into Recycled Paper (KDU) raw materials. Until now, BSD has supplied more than 90 tons of cardboard and waste paper to the IKPP Serang factory, as well as empowering the community through 226 points of Waste Bank units spread across Serang City and Regency and Cilegon City, Banten.
This collaboration not only has a positive impact on the environment, but also improves the welfare of the community through empowerment and education programs. "This collaboration facilitates Bank Sampah Digital's access to sell waste paper raw materials directly to the industry, and continues to innovate and contribute to waste reduction and better waste management," said Bank Sampah Digital CEO Desty Eka Putri Sari.
Desty also added that by empowering housewives through programs such as waste sorting and waste management training, BSD hopes to create significant economic impact and improve the quality of life of the community. "Starting in 2024, we have also organized waste bank education to schools together with IKPP Serang. The goal is to educate school children in waste sorting from an early age," Desty added.
Separately, APP Group Managing Director Suhendra Wiriadinata said that this collaboration is expected to reduce waste problems in the community, and contribute to the circular economy around the factory.
Going forward, the collaboration between PT IKPP Serang and Bank Sampah Digital will be adopted to other APP Group operational factories. "This community empowerment-based waste bank management program is one of the solutions in reducing waste, improving the community's economy, and fulfilling industrial raw materials," Suhendra concluded.
The ZWZE 2024 Festival is an important momentum for APP Group to demonstrate its commitment and support the government in improving circular economy and environmental sustainability through innovative and equitable collaboration.
