Supporting the Indonesia Free Waste Program “Reuse, Reuse, Recycle” as a Form of Cooperation with Rekosistem

Surabaya, March 20, 2024 - Waste in Indonesia is still an unresolved problem. Realizing this, the retail brand with the most branches in Indonesia, known for being economical, complete, and close, MR.DIY presents the holistic #PilahSampahLebihMudah initiative with a focus on 3R (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle). Starting from early education regarding waste management and utilization of used goods with students from Sampoerna Academy Surabaya and Surabaya Intercultural School, to synergizing with Rekosistem in placing recycle station dropboxes in 10 MR.DIY stores strategically spread across the Jabodetabek, Bandung, and Surabaya areas.

Ria Sutrisno, Head of Marketing MR.DIY Indonesia stated, "The #PilahSampahLebihMudah initiative is a manifestation of MR.DIY's commitment to support the Indonesia Free of Waste program by introducing proper and sustainable waste management practices to the community and changing perspectives on waste management. With a focus on Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, MR.DIY implements this initiative into various activity programs, starting from increasing waste management literacy from an early age, providing dropstation boxes in our stores, and later collaborating with organizations and local governments in other cities," explained Ria.

Reported from the official website of the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), in 2022 the amount of national waste accumulation reached 21.1 million tons. Of the total national waste production, 65.71% (13.9 million tons) can be managed, while the remaining 34.29% (7.2 million tons) have not been managed properly. KLHK has a target to achieve Indonesia Clean from Waste 2025 with a waste management target of 70%. To achieve this target, the government recommends the application of the 3R principle (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle) in managing waste to reduce the amount of waste produced and reuse recyclable waste.

The #PilahSampahLebihMudah program series began with a school visit to the city of Surabaya filled with a waste sorting game followed by the utilization of used goods to make Self-Watering Planters. This program was also welcomed with positive enthusiasm by several schools in Surabaya.

"Of course, as a STEAM pioneer, this program is very close to our mission which aims to create future leaders and global thinkers who care about the environment. This is also in line with the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) that we carry at Sampoerna Academy. Since the beginning of the year, we have started the Let's Play Outside program which invites students to care more about the environment and think about what small steps they can take at home, school, and even their surroundings," said Adelina Holmes as Principal of Sampoerna Academy Pakuwon Indah.

Met on the same occasion, Maulana Hayshar, East Java Environmental Ambassador 2023. In line with adding the Reduce concept can be done by reducing the consumption of natural resources and reducing waste production. For example, the use of products that can be used for a long time, such as tumblers or food containers that are usually sold at MR.DIY can also reduce the use of single-use plastic.

To complement the Recycle program, MR.DIY synergizes with Rekosistem to present a dropbox recycle station to help the community manage waste. "This is one way to support the concept of recycling or reprocessing waste into materials that can be reused. MR.DIY customers can deposit inorganic waste in the drop box that has been provided. All collected waste will be recorded and re-sorted through the Rekosistem waste hub and processed at the recycling center," explained Hans Sebastian Diaz, General Manager of Rekosistem East Java

In addition, of course MR.DIY also consistently provides a variety of cleaning product catalog options in all stores spread across the archipelago, making it easier for the community to manage waste better and more appropriately at home and in the surrounding environment.

"We hope that this program can make it easier for consumers and the community to dispose of and sort waste properly, thereby reducing its negative impact on the environment and this program can create more agents of change and encourage the creation of Clean Indonesia 2025. One small step from each individual is an important start for environmental sustainability," Ria concluded to the media. ***