HPSN 2025: Yiari invites children in Ketapang to clean up trash
Waste is a serious problem that is not only a national responsibility, but also a global challenge that is still being resolved.
Based on Circular Letter (SE) Number 1 of 2025 concerning the commemoration of National Waste Care Day (HPSN) 2025, data from the Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 notes that around 38 percent of waste in the world is still not managed properly. This condition contributes greatly to three major environmental crises known as the Triple Planetary Crisis, namely climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution.
At the national level, Indonesia recorded a waste dump of 56.63 million tons in 2023. Of this total, only 39.01 percent or about 22.09 million tons were successfully managed. The rest, which is 60.99 percent or about 34.54 million tons, has not received adequate handling.
As part of the commemoration of HPSN 2025, Yayasan Initiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) initiated environmental clean-up activities with children in Ketapang regency, West Kalimantan. This action aims to instill environmental awareness from an early age, and invite people to be more concerned about waste management around them.
Curious as to what activities are carried out? Come on, check out the excitement of yiari’s action with the children in Ketapang below!
Clean trash action carried out at seven locations
In commemoration of National Waste Care Day (HPSN) 2025, Yayasan Initiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) together with children in Ketapang regency, West Kalimantan, held a clean-up action at seven different locations. This activity lasted for two days, namely on February 21 and 22, 2025.
Right on February 21, coinciding with the commemoration of HPSN, the activity began with a garbage clean action with students of SDN 20 Pangkalan Jihing, which is also part of the Gunung Tarak work site.
Still on the same day, YIARI held a waste recycling activity at the Sir Michael Uren Learning Center (LC SMU). In this activity, YIARI collaborated with Genta (nature lovers movement) from SMKN 1 Ketapang, creating an educational moment about Creative Waste Management and utilization.
In addition, YIARI also held an environmental clean action with children in Nusa Poring Village, which is part of the Melawi site project.
On February 22, the clean-up action continued in three elementary schools and one village, namely SDN 33 Cali, SDN 14 Pulau Cempedak, SDN 07 Hulu Sungai, and Batu Lapis Village.
Community welcomes Yiari-initiated clean-up action
The clean-up action initiated by Yayasan Initiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) in Nusa Poring Village received a positive response from the local community. This activity is part of a series of commemoration of National Waste Care Day (HPSN) 2025.
According to Dieka Pertiwi, education and awareness manager of YIARI, garbage cleaning activities are actually not new for children and residents in Ketapang Regency. Similar actions have become routine activities carried out in various villages.
‘Actually, this clean-up action is not a new activity. Activities like this have been routinely done. So, HPSN is only ceremonial, because outside of festive moments like this, clean-up activities have become a regular agenda in the villages,” explained Dieka.
Furthermore, Dieka explained that in the framework of HPSN 2025, YIARI held a garbage clean action with a more ceremonial approach and involved a number of schools in the Ketapang area.
‘The response from the community is very positive, especially from children who are used to participating in this activity regularly every month,” he added.
Children in Ketapang used to play while cleaning garbage
One of the interesting facts about clean-up activities in Ketapang Regency is the habit of children who make environmental care actions as part of their daily play activities. In some areas, such as in Mentatai, children often swim or dive in the river while picking up garbage they find on the surface and bottom of the river.
“They, if they see garbage at the bottom of the river, immediately taken. It has become a habit” ‘ said Dieka.
He added that this awareness is the result of various educational activities and environmental care actions carried out consistently in the Ketapang area.
“The activities that have been routinely carried out make children more aware. In fact, they take their own initiative to collect garbage, including those at the bottom of the river,” he explained.
Plastic Waste Remains The Biggest Challenge
Of the various types of waste that pollute the environment, plastic waste is the biggest challenge faced today. This is due to the high level of use of plastic in everyday life, including among children. In Ketapang Regency, for example, children still have the habit of buying snacks that are generally packaged in disposable plastic.
Nevertheless, children’s awareness of the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness is quite good. Although they still consume plastic packaged products, they have become accustomed to throwing garbage in place, not carelessly.
As part of its ongoing efforts, YIARI continues to educate children and communities in Ketapang, especially regarding the dangers and management of plastic waste. One of the positive habits that began to be built is to bring your own container or place to drink when buying snacks, in order to reduce dependence on disposable plastic packaging.
The garbage problem will never really end. However, as individuals, we can contribute through consistent small steps, such as sorting garbage, bringing our own containers, or regularly participating in environmental clean-up activities. Not having to wait for a certain moment such as the National Waste Care Day (HPSN), the action of maintaining cleanliness can be done every week, even every day, in the environment where we live.
As the children in Ketapang have shown-playing while picking up trash-this simple action has a big impact if done collectively. It’s time we make caring about waste a part of our lifestyle. Yuk, from now on get used to picking up trash and throwing it where it should be!
Featured image: students of SDN O7 Hulu Sungai clean up trash. (Education team | YIARI)