Empowering Women Waste Collectors: Sirsak x Kamibox Kartini Day 2025 Initiative

Celebrating the Unsung Heroes of Waste Management

In honor of Kartini Day 2025, Sirsak and Kamibox proudly partnered to distribute 300 aid packages to women waste heroes from the Women’s Waste Collector Association (WWCA). Held on April 21, 2025, this initiative aimed to recognize and appreciate the crucial, yet often overlooked, contributions of women in Indonesia’s waste management sector.

This effort was made possible with support from esteemed sponsors including Frisian Flag, Indofood, Kino, Le Minerale, Lemonilo, Mayora, Rexona, Sidomuncul, Softex, Sweety, Unilever, Yayasan Wings Peduli, and Zwitsal.

The Role of Women in Indonesia’s Waste Ecosystem

Women play a fundamental role in waste collection and sorting, often while balancing the responsibilities of being mothers, wives, and active community members. Their dedication supports not only environmental sustainability but also their families' financial survival.

Despite their vital contributions, female waste collectors continue to face significant economic challenges and limited access to information. Women are often confined to labor-intensive tasks such as waste gathering and sorting, while men are more likely to secure supervisory roles or operate machinery. This systemic inequality leads to lower wages and fewer opportunities for women to advance.

This initiative hopes to champion women’s role in Indonesia Waste Ecosystem. As Resa Boenard, founder of WWCA, expressed:

"I hope this initiative not only enhances the wellbeing of these women waste heroes but also opens up new opportunities and greater access to information, empowering them to improve their livelihoods."

Why Representation Matters

Women's influence extends beyond their workplaces into their homes and communities. They are often the key decision-makers regarding waste disposal, recycling, and sustainable consumption. By excluding women from environmental policymaking, we miss out on holistic and sustainable solutions that benefit entire communities.

Ensuring women’s participation is not just about fairness — it's about building stronger, more resilient systems.

Meeting the Challenges

Indonesia produces a staggering 32.6 million tons of waste annually. Female waste collectors are vital in managing this volume, yet lack of support systems and gender-inclusive work environments puts tremendous strain on them.

Without intervention, many are forced to choose between their livelihood and their family responsibilities — a burden that can lead to economic instability and declining participation in waste management efforts.

Standing Together for Change

Motivated by these challenges, Sirsak partnered with Kamibox to make a meaningful impact. Over the years, WWCA has been at the forefront of supporting women at Bantar Gebang — one of Java’s largest landfills. Through this collaboration, 300 aid packages containing food, beverages, hygiene products, medicines, and daily essentials were distributed to the women and their families.

These packages provide more than just temporary relief — they affirm the importance of these women’s labor and help sustain them in their daily struggles.

Beyond Kartini Day, Sirsak remains committed to empowering women waste collectors by offering:

1. Social protection programs like BPJS (Indonesia’s social security system)

2. Skills development trainings to enhance livelihoods

3. Advocacy for gender inclusivity in waste management policies

"Women are the frontliners of Indonesia's waste management — from sorting waste at home to educating families and communities. We believe that recognizing and empowering them is key to building a sustainable and inclusive future," said Angeline Callista, CEO & founder of Sirsak.

Join Us in Building a More Inclusive Future

At Sirsak, we believe real change happens when communities, companies, and individuals come together. We invite you to support gender equality and environmental sustainability by standing with the women who are often the unsung heroes behind a cleaner Indonesia.

Together, let's celebrate their contributions — and build a future where every woman waste collector is seen, heard, and supported.

Interested in collaborating with us or learning more?