Jakarta, 21 September, 2019 - Hundreds of PT HM Sampoerna Tbk. (Sampoerna) employees participated in clean up activities as part of the "World Clean Up Day 2019" movement to contribute in protecting the environment. In two cities, hundreds of Sampoerna employees simultaneously collected plastic waste and discarded cigarette butts at Taman Wisata Alam Mangrove Nature Park in Muara Karang, Jakarta and at Suroboyo Park on Kenjeran Beach in Surabaya.
Every year, 1.3 billion tons of household waste are generated but only 358 million tons of waste are sent to 50 large landfills, so the remaining waste ends up in the sea[1]. To overcome this problem, the "World Clean Up Day" global movement was initiated in 2008 to express the concerns of the global community over the problem of the waste generated by mankind.
"The problem of waste is everyone's responsibility. So, we must all work together to overcome it," said Head of Regional Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility at Sampoerna, Ervin Laurence Pakpahan. He added that Sampoerna has instilled all elements of the company a sense that the responsibility for protecting the environment from waste can start with the individual and their immediate environment.
Hundreds of Sampoerna employees expressed their enthusiasm by helping to collect hundreds of items as part of this global garbage collection movement. In addition to plastic bottles and packaging, around 25,000 discarded cigarette butts were collected during the activities held in Jakarta and Surabaya.
These "World Clean Up Day" activities are in line with Sampoerna's sustainability program conducted through the #SayaAjaBisa Sampoerna campaign to promote increased public awareness to dispose of waste and especially discarded cigarette butts in the correct places. During this activity, Sampoerna also distributed portable ashtrays to participating adult smokers, representing its commitment to increase awareness of a taking a responsible attitude towards environmental issues.
It is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for addressing climate change. In addition to increasing awareness of the responsibility for waste, Sampoerna also conducts water conservation efforts and uses renewable energy source at its production facilities. Sampoerna sees that sustainability, conducted through reducing the impact of products, operations and supply chains on the environment, offers long-term value for stakeholders and the wider community.
"Our efforts in tackling climate change through raising awareness of responsibility for waste are a tangible expression of carrying out the mandate of the government that all Indonesian people should make efforts mitigate climate change with the hope that a sustainable environment can have a positive impact on the society," concluded Ervin.
About PT HM Sampoerna Tbk. (Sampoerna)
Founded in 1913, Sampoerna - an affiliate of PT Philip Morris Indonesia and part of Philip Morris International Inc. - is a leading Indonesian tobacco company, focusing primarily on the production and sale of clove cigarettes. The Company produces some of the best-known clove cigarettes such as Sampoerna A, legendary "King of Kretek" Dji Sam Soe, Sampoerna U and Sampoerna Kretek. The Company also distributes the Marlboro brand of cigarettes throughout Indonesia through a long-term distribution agreement with PT Philip Morris Indonesia. Sampoerna operates seven production facilities in Java and partners with 38 Third Party Operators, employing directly and indirectly a total of approximately 65,000 employees, mostly in the production of hand-rolled clove cigarettes. Sampoerna distributes its products via 114 sales and distribution offices across Indonesia.
Sampoerna is one of the largest companies by market capitalization on the Indonesian Stock Exchange, where it trades under the share code "HMSP."