“If students use tumblers every day, they help the government reduce plastic waste. Plastic bottle waste has already become quite substantial,” Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said during his visit to Public Junior High School (SMPN) 18 in West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Saturday.
The minister urged public school students to consistently use tumblers to minimize plastic bottle waste, emphasizing that small steps like regularly using reusable containers can have a positive environmental impact.
“Love the environment, at the very least by always using a tumbler,” he stated.
Hanif explained that the Ministry of Environment (KLH) has partnered with the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) to integrate environmental education into public school curricula.
The KLH’s Adiwiyata program has been incorporated into public schools to instill early awareness among students about the dangers of waste and the importance of environmental stewardship.
“We believe that these students will not only become progressive leaders but also environmentally conscious leaders who love the environment. No developed country has a damaged environment,” the minister said.
Febrian Abdullah, a seventh-grade student at SMPN 18 West Lombok, expressed his happiness over the minister’s visit, saying it motivated students to care for the environment from an early age. Students at SMPN 18 West Lombok also received gifts from Minister Hanif, including reusable tumblers.
“I’m happy about the minister’s visit, especially since we received gifts,” Febrian said.
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Translator: Sugi, Azis Kurmala
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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