Jakarta. KOLASE (Kolaborasi Ekonomi Sirkular Kelola Sampah di Sekolah), a collaboration between the Cilegon Environmental Agency (DLH), Chandra Asri Pacific (Chandra Asri Group), and Yayasan Bakti Barito, has expanded its implementation to 120 schools across Cilegon, Banten.

The expansion follows the replication of the KOLASE program, which has been implemented since 2023 and previously covered 20 schools. The program encourages students and teachers to manage waste at its source through waste sorting, while strengthening connections between schools and waste banks to ensure sorted waste can be collected and further managed.

The program is also supported by separate waste drop boxes and waste presses to facilitate waste sorting and collection at schools.

Since its launch in 2023, KOLASE has continued to expand school participation in waste management. In 2025, the program was implemented in 20 schools and managed 35 tons of waste in collaboration with waste bank partners.

The achievement became one of the foundations for expanding KOLASE to more schools across Cilegon, while highlighting the potential of schools to contribute to waste management efforts starting at the source.

The expansion also strengthens the role of schools within the city’s waste management ecosystem. Through KOLASE, students, teachers, and other school community members participate in sorting waste at its source, while waste banks collect and manage sorted materials so they can re-enter the utilization chain.

At the KOLASE program inauguration, Cilegon Mayor Robinsar said waste management was a shared development challenge that required a shift in how waste was viewed and managed.

“The waste problem is a development challenge that we must face together. Cilegon sees the urgency of changing the way we view waste by managing it from the source, through sorting, reuse, and optimizing its economic value. Cilegon continues to encourage waste management efforts while building new habits and a culture in how we treat waste. Schools are the right place to start this change because they are spaces for shaping character and habits from an early age,” Robinsar said.

Chandra Asri Group Legal, External Relations and Circular Economy Director Edi Rivai said collaboration was essential to encouraging waste management practices at the source.

“As an industry player in Cilegon, Chandra Asri Group sees the importance of collaboration that promotes waste management practices starting from the source. Through KOLASE, we support schools in establishing waste-sorting practices while strengthening connections with waste banks, so that sorted waste can be better managed and has the opportunity to generate value again,” Edi said.

“With 120 schools involved, KOLASE has the potential to expand waste-sorting practices among more school community members, provide economic benefits through the involvement of 11 waste bank partners, and reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills. We hope this collaboration can continue to grow and become part of joint efforts to strengthen the circular economy ecosystem in Cilegon. As a Growth Partner, Chandra Asri Group will continue to promote collaboration and create benefits for the environment and communities,” he added.

As part of the initiative, Chandra Asri Group and Yayasan Bakti Barito are supporting KOLASE, which was initiated by the Cilegon Environmental Agency. The support includes providing facilities to support waste management at schools, with the aim of strengthening waste management practices while creating economic value for schools and students.

The initiative is expected to continue through collaboration among various stakeholders, enabling more schools and other stakeholders to participate in strengthening Cilegon’s waste management ecosystem.

Yayasan Bakti Barito Director Dian A. Purbasari said schools could play an important role in developing waste management habits among young people.

“Schools are places to build the habits and character of the younger generation. Through KOLASE, schools are not only places to learn about the importance of sorting waste, but also spaces to practice waste management directly and see its benefits. Consistent learning is expected to build habits that students carry into their families and communities.

“In line with Yayasan Bakti Barito’s commitment to supporting education and the environment, we support KOLASE through the Green Guardians program as a concrete step to connect learning at school with circular economy practices and introduce the potential economic value of waste management,” Dian said.

KOLASE is expected to serve as a collaborative model for strengthening a school-based waste management ecosystem in Cilegon.

Cilegon Environmental Agency Head Sabri said the 120 schools currently participating had demonstrated their commitment to sustainable waste management.

“The 120 schools now involved in the KOLASE program are schools that have demonstrated their commitment to participating in sustainable waste management. The Cilegon Environmental Agency previously approached schools that wanted to take part in managing waste from its source.

“Going forward, KOLASE will remain open to other schools that have the commitment and interest to participate, so that more schools can become part of joint efforts to manage waste in Cilegon,” Sabri said.

The expansion of KOLASE marks a joint effort to strengthen the role of schools in waste management while expanding waste-sorting practices at the source. Through collaboration among the government, businesses, schools, waste banks, and other stakeholders, the program is expected to continue developing as part of efforts to reduce waste generation, expand circular economy practices, and build a more sustainable waste management ecosystem in Cilegon.

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