Heaptalk, Jakarta — Mondelez Indonesia has established a partnership with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology to enhance education on plastic waste management.
This collaboration aims to expand the reach of the #BijakPlastikSejakDini campaign initiative, translated into being wise in using plastic from an early age, through the Healthy School Movement (Gerakan Sekolah Sehat/GSS) under the Ministry’s auspices. Entering its fourth year of partnership, this initiative has involved 1,500 students, teachers, and parents, collecting more than 3 tons of plastic waste recycled into furniture that supports learning activities in schools.
In more detail, Khrisma Fitriasari, Head of Corporate Communication & Government Affairs at Mondelez Indonesia, explained that the series of #BijakPlastikSejakDini initiatives started with a plastic waste management workshop attended by more than 500 participants, including teachers and school representatives (elementary schools), parent representatives, students, and environmental community members. The campaign also featured a digital competition, consisting of two categories: plastic waste recycling innovation and plastic waste management idea innovation.
Raising environmental awareness
According to Parveen Dalal, President Director of Mondelez Indonesia, this initiative is part of the company’s commitment to plastic waste management and a tangible contribution to the country. “The #BijakPlastikSejakDini initiative focuses on raising environmental awareness and inspiring children to manage plastic waste wisely from an early age. We hope that in the future, this initiative can continue to expand, reaching and involving more parties,” explained Parveen in Jakarta (06/26).
The Healthy School Movement is a program initiated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology as a continuous collaborative effort by all parties, including the central government, local governments, partners, educational units, communities, and other stakeholders, to create Healthy Schools. GSS Supervisor I Nyoman Rudi Kurniawan stated, “We appreciate the role of Mondelez Indonesia as a partner in the Healthy School Movement through the #BijakPlastikSejakDini initiative to strengthen the environmental health pillar, particularly in raising awareness of plastic waste management.”
As part of this collaboration, Mondelez Indonesia also launched educational materials in the form of a handbook and an introductory animated video supported by a team from the Indonesia Environmental Scientists Association (IESA). Dr. Lina Trimugi Astuti, Secretary-General of IESA, explained that the book emphasizes the importance of each party’s role, including families, schools, and communities, and encourages their participation in raising #BijakPlastikSejakDini awareness.
Reducing 110 tons of plastic use
“To facilitate children’s understanding, the materials are packaged as a 30-day #BijakPlastikSejakDini challenge. The handbook and introductory video are divided into two age groups, namely for grades 1-3 and 4-6, and include a monitoring section involving teachers, parents, and the surrounding community to help monitor the children’s progress,” Lina explained.
Tasya Kamila, a public figure in Indonesia, found the #BijakPlastikSejakDini handbook helpful. “The #BijakPlastikSejakDini book can facilitate parents and the community to encourage the growth of wise plastic habits from an early age. Each element of society can contribute differently, from implementing habits at home, developing skills at school, to interacting with the surrounding environment,” said Tasya.
As part of Mondelez International, Mondelez Indonesia remains committed to implementing sustainable business practices as a form of participation in environmental conservation efforts, including plastic waste management. “In 2023, Mondelez Indonesia successfully reduced 110 tons of plastic use, both through innovations to reduce weight and packaging dimensions, as well as collecting plastic packaging waste through collaboration with the Indonesia Packaging Recovery Organisation (IPRO),” Parveen concluded.
