From Waste Sorting to Protecting Biodiversity, MSIG Indonesia Invites Elementary School Students to Become Change Agents

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - A total of 109 fifth grade students at SDN Jampang 01 and SDN Karang Tengah 07, Bogor, participated in the Biodiversity Fun Class (BDFC) 2026 held by PT Asuransi MSIG Indonesia (MSIG Indonesia). In collaboration with the National Movement of Foster Parents (GNOTA) and Save the Children Indonesia, this program invites students to learn about waste sorting as a simple step to maintain the environment and biodiversity.

The urgency of waste management is reflected in the study of the UCLA Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment which is referred to in the BDFC 2026 material. The Bantar Gebang Integrated Waste Treatment Plant (TPST) is estimated to release around 6.3 tons of methane per hour or around 55,000 tons per year. Methane gas, which is among others produced when organic waste decomposes in the final processing plant, is one of the greenhouse gases that contributes to climate change and puts pressure on ecosystems and biodiversity.

Carrying the theme "Caring for the Future" with the concept of "Sorting Waste, Happy Earth!", BDFC 2026 introduces three basic categories of waste, namely organic, inorganic, and residue. Students learn how to manage each type of waste as well as the impact of poorly managed waste on soil, water, animals, and humans.

"I believe that this initiative is important because it helps build environmental awareness from an early age. By introducing simple habits such as sorting garbage, we hope that students can apply these habits in their daily lives and become agents of change who inspire their families and communities to implement more environmentally responsible practices," said Tomosuke Tsuruoka, President Director of MSIG Indonesia, in a statement, Tuesday, August 11.

The material is delivered through educational videos, storytelling with Save the Children Indonesia, quizzes, group games, and direct practice sorting garbage. This interactive approach is designed so that students not only understand the material, but can also apply it at home and school.

MSIG Indonesia employees also participated as volunteers to accompany the students. Before the activity took place, they attended a workshop to enrich their knowledge about the relationship between waste sorting and biodiversity conservation.

Biodiversity Fun Class was first held in 2019 as part of MSIG Indonesia's commitment to environmental education and biodiversity protection. Until 2026, this program has involved 86 MSIG Indonesia employees as volunteers who act as accompanying brothers for students and has reached 9 state elementary schools in the Jakarta, Tangerang, and Bogor areas. The presence of BDFC this year continues MSIG Indonesia's efforts to bring environmental issues closer to the younger generation through practical and fun learning.

As a form of ongoing support, MSIG Indonesia also handed over one unit of plastic bottle pressing equipment and three units of separate garbage to each school to support the implementation of sustainable waste sorting habits.

Through BDFC 2026, MSIG Indonesia again emphasizes the importance of presenting relevant and easy-to-implement environmental education from an early age. This program is expected to build a foundation of concern for the environment and biodiversity that continues to grow as children grow.