Jiva Catalyst Foundation Marks World Plastic Free Day, Inviting Young People to Take Action Through Plastic Free July 2026
Written by: Bunga El Najma Sofiana
Jakarta, 4 July 2026 – Jiva Catalyst Foundation held Plastic Free July 2026, themed “Small Action, Big Impact: Reduce Plastic, Restore Our Earth,” at Taman Bendera Pusaka, South Jakarta, on Saturday, 4 July 2026, from 1:00 PM to 6:30 PM. The event was organized to celebrate Plastic Free July, a global month-long movement founded by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz in Western Australia in 2011 to encourage people to reduce their dependence on single-use plastics through everyday actions (Plastic Free Foundation, 2026), while also commemorating World Plastic Bag Free Day, observed annually on 3 July—an international initiative launched by Zero Waste Europe in 2009 to raise awareness of the environmental impacts of single-use plastic bags (Zero Waste Europe, 2026). The event brought together around 60 participants, including university and high school students, environmental communities, youth organizations, and corporate representatives through CSR programs.
The continued high use of single-use plastic keeps contributing to a growing volume of waste that is difficult to decompose, pollutes the environment, and threatens the sustainability of ecosystems. Through Plastic Free July 2026, Jiva Catalyst Foundation aims to show that awareness of this issue must be built not only through education, but also through real action whose impact can be felt directly in the surrounding environment.
The event was made possible with the support of BNI Life and in collaboration with several community partners, namely Trash Ranger Jakarta, Penjaga Laut, SRE ITPLN, and Trash Hero Jakarta, who helped broaden the reach of education and campaigns on reducing single-use plastic among the public.
The event opened with participant registration, followed by remarks from Hesti Nurrohmah, Project Lead of Plastic Free July 2026.
“Every small step we take today is a real investment in the future of our planet. Through Plastic Free July 2026, we want to invite young people not only to understand the impact of plastic waste, but also to experience first-hand what it feels like to take collective action for a better environment,” said Hesti Nurrohmah, Project Lead of Plastic Free July 2026.
The program continued with a Sharing & Caring session on World Plastic Free Day 2026, featuring speaker Sabita Vidya Wistara, Founder of Semai Creative Club, a sociopreneur with 12 years of experience in waste management, upcycling, and environmental education. The session discussed the impact of plastic waste on the environment and simple steps young people can take in their daily lives.
Participants then took part in the Plastic Flower Upcycling Workshop, transforming used plastic bags into decorative flower arrangements. The activity encouraged creativity while demonstrating how waste can be turned into something of greater value, with the best creations judged at the end of the session.
Following the workshop, participants took part in an Ishoma session themed Sustainable Picnic. For drinking, participants and committee members used their own personal tumblers to minimize plastic waste. For the meal, everyone shared food together in a liwetan-style communal meal served on banana leaves, a tangible expression of a low-waste lifestyle rooted in the tradition of togetherness.
The program continued with the traditional game Ular Naga (Dragon Tail), bringing a sense of nostalgia while strengthening camaraderie among participants, before the event closed with an Eco Pledge, a shared commitment to reducing plastic waste starting with oneself, followed by a group photo session with all participants.
“We hope the spirit of Plastic Free July 2026 does not stop today, but continues to be carried by every participant into their own communities. Our collaboration with BNI Life and all of our community partners proves that meaningful change can begin with small actions taken together,” Hesti Nurrohmah added.
The spirit of the event also lives on through an Instagram Content Challenge, where participants are invited to upload Plastic Free July-themed reels using the hashtag #PlasticFreeJuly2026 and a collaborative post with the @Jiva.Catalyst account. Submissions are open until 7 July 2026, with winners to be announced on 10 July 2026.
Through Plastic Free July 2026, Jiva Catalyst Foundation hopes participants gained not only knowledge about environmental issues, but also first-hand experience in taking real action to protect the planet, while strengthening the network and collective commitment of young people in the environmental movement.
About Jiva Catalyst Foundation
Jiva Catalyst Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating meaningful impact through three interconnected pillars: Education, Environment, and Social Impact.
Through environmental initiatives, sustainability programs, educational activities, youth empowerment, and community engagement, the Foundation seeks to inspire individuals and communities to become catalysts for positive change. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and inclusive participation, Jiva Catalyst Foundation works toward building a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for both people and the planet.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Email: jiva.catalyst@gmail.com
Instagram: @jiva.catalyst
Address: Equity Tower, 26th Floor, Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, Senayan, South Jakarta 12190
Editor by: Nurlaila