Drinking Coffee Pays for Garbage, Semen Baturaja Inaugurates the “Brand Eco Cafe” Program for Environmentally Friendly Shops

BATURAJA – There are many ways to develop regional potential while keeping the environment clean and healthy, as a form of the company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility, PT Semen Baturaja Tbk (SMBR) as a subsidiary of PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (SIG) inaugurated the TJSL SMBR Eco Cafe Program “Coffee Pay for Garbage” by collaborating with MSEs fostered by Rumah BUMN Baturaja.

Collaborating with one of the UMK assisted by the Baturaja BUMN House, namely “Ngupi Ku-day” and in collaboration with the Kab. Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) and Semgui Sekundang Garbage Bank.

The inauguration was carried out on Friday (21/7) at the Ngupi Ku-day Cafe, Baturaja and was attended by the Senior Manager of Heatlh Safety & Environment SMBR Meriadi, Secretary of the Kab. OKU Brigmand, Director of the Semangu Sekundang Garbage Bank Rozimei Ellatama, Tommy Leo Main Garbage Bank Operational Division, and Association of Coffee Rulers and the General Public.

This program is a form of concern and business development for UMK assisted by Rumah BUMN Baturaja, namely Ngupi Ku-day, which is an UMK partner who has started to be independent to be redeveloped by promoting the Eco Cafe brand or eco-friendly shop while combining coffee culture with environmental preservation actions.

As an application of activities, Ngopi Pay Using Garbage enforces SOPs through the implementation of 4R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Replacement) thereby limiting the use of plastic from straws, plastic bags, drink cups so as to be able to provide an Eco Cafe brand or an environmentally friendly shop. The collected waste will later be given to the waste bank and processed into useful products.

Senior Manager of Health, Safety & Environment, Meriadi explained that this program aims to educate the public not to litter and build positive steps by reducing the use of plastic packaging, bags, bottles, cups, and waste utilization. This is to make people aware of the importance of preserving the environment,” he said.

Dedi, the owner of Ngopi Ku-day, really supports this program, by educating the public regarding waste management. “People can come to Ngopi Ku-day with trash that can be exchanged for coffee vouchers, which can then be used as a means of payment for coffee and dishes enjoyed at Ngopi Ku-day,” he said.

Secretary of the OKU Regency Environmental Service, Brigmand, said that waste is not just the responsibility of one or two people. But all elements of society must be responsible. So with the existence of waste education that is exchanged for coffee it is hoped that they can both protect the surrounding environment. “So it’s not only waste that is exchanged for coffee but also education about waste,” he said

SMBR always supports the achievement of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) through the implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) based programs in all of its operational areas. This is part of Environmental and Social Responsibility (TJSL), in order to realize economic benefits in society. (*)