Jakarta. Chandra Asri Group recently teamed up with disability advocacy platform Kitaoneus.asia to hold a waste sorting initiative for 50 ride-hailing drivers with hearing disabilities.

In this program, the drivers had to bring plastic waste from their homes. In exchange for the collected plastic waste, they would get a driver’s license to earn an income. Chandra Asri Group and Kitaoneus.asia also worked alongside the Greater Jakarta metropolitan police to issue the licenses.

The plastic waste will then be sorted out at Chandra Asri Group’s integrated waste management (IPST Asari) in Kota Bumi, Cilegon. With end-to-end plastic waste management, IPST ASARI manages low-value plastic waste to pyrolysis oil named PLUSRI that can be used by fishermen and home businesses on the coast of Pangaradan, Anyar Village, Serang Regency, Banten.

Chandra Asri Group’s head of corporate communications Chrysanthi Tarigan said that the initiative embodies the company’s commitment to promote inclusion and diversity, as well as environmental awareness. 

"This initiative not only provides an opportunity for individuals with special needs to be involved in environmental conservation efforts but also opens the door for online drivers with hearing disabilities so that they can get facilities and gain access to work," Chrysanthi was quoted as saying in a recent press statement.

"Through steps like this, our company, as a growth partner, hopes to create sustainable positive change, as well as encourage awareness at all levels of society to create a beautiful Indonesia. We thank Kitaoneus.asia who has teamed up to support drivers with hearing disabilities, and also participate in promoting the circular economy,” Chrysanthis said.

Since 2019, Chandra Asri Group has been actively implementing circular economy principles in minimizing the generation of plastic waste. Collaborating with multiple parties, the company is trying to present concrete solutions, among others, by focusing on low-value plastic waste to prevent it from ending up in the ocean.