Jakarta. Chandra Asri Group is promoting healthy lifestyle and environmental awareness through its participation in the 2025 Jakarta Running Festival (JRF) on Oct. 23-26.

This marks the third time Chandra Asri Group is taking part as the official sustainability and circular economy partner. According to Chandra Asri Group’s head of corporate communications Chrysanthi Tarigan, this participation stems from the belief that sports activities are closely linked to environmental awareness.

"Behind a healthy body is a healthy environment. Therefore, we want to encourage runners and visitors to be aware and participate in the circular economy process," she said.

Through the "Circular Loop" initiative, Chandra Asri Group presents an interactive and educational space that invites the public to learn more about the principles of sustainability. In this area, visitors can participate in various activities, such as the Create One Loop workshop, a bracelet-making workshop from recycled plastic that teaches that plastic has value and can be reused. There's also Circle of Change, an educational game that demonstrates how the concept of a circular economy can be easily applied in everyday life.

Chandra Asri Group’s employees also partnered with volunteers from the Warga Asri community to educate visitors about waste sorting at the site in a campaign better known as “Operasi Semut”.

“Operasi Semut will take place on JRF race day, Saturday and Sunday. Our volunteers will help visitors sort food and beverage waste while providing educational support. Because the essence of a circular economy starts with a simple habit: sorting waste," Chrysanthi said.

"We are pleased to see the JRF increasingly serious about managing event waste each year. That's why we are always enthusiastic about supporting this activity," she said.

Chandra Asri Group also partnered with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and held various social media activations, including giveaways and interactive campaigns encouraging the public to visit the Circular Loop booth and actively participate in circular activities.

As part of the company’s commitment to the environment, every kilometer run by Chandra Asri Group employees in JRF 2025 will be converted into a mangrove tree planted in the Lembur Mangrove Patikang area in Pandeglang, Banten. The total distance run by the Chandra Asri Group employees is estimated to be 543 kilometers, meaning 543 new mangrove trees will be planted as part of the company's efforts to increase carbon sequestration and protect coastal ecosystems.

"This program not only impact conservation but also the community's economy. Together with the local government, we are creating Lembur Mangrove Patikang, an educational tourism destination, so that the community can benefit economically from nature conservation," Chrysanthi said.

Chandra Asri Group's commitment to the circular economy is demonstrated through initiatives beyond sporting events. One such initiative is end-to-end integrated plastic waste management through the Asari Integrated Waste Processing Industry (IPST), a facility that processes plastic waste into fuel using pyrolysis technology.

"The plastic we collect is processed into fuel that can be used for household utilization, MSMEs, and even fishermen around the company," Chrysanthi said.

This effort complements other flagship programs of the Chandra Asri Group, such as plastic asphalt, a collaboration with the local government in Garut and several other cities in Indonesia. Plastic waste is processed into road mix material, providing an environmentally friendly solution that also benefits public infrastructure.

"We always partner with the government because their policies play a major role in expanding the implementation of a circular economy," Chrysanthi said.

She added that cross-sector collaboration is key to ensuring sustainability initiatives are consistently implemented and have a broad impact.

"Our hope is that after participating in this activity, people will not only understand but also be inspired to manage their waste at home, starting by sorting it and taking it to the nearest ‘Bank Sampah’ waste bank. Because big changes always start from small habits," she said.

Chandra Asri Group's presence at the JRF shows the company's commitment to raising awareness that sustainability is not just a concept, but a lifestyle.