JAKARTA – Dompet Dhuafa Volunteers (DDV) across Indonesia are participating in the Dompet Dhuafa qurbani animal Distribution Program during Eid al-Adha 2025. A notable aspect of DDV’s efforts during the animal sacrifice festival is the “Fun Sacrifice Without Plastic Waste” initiative, which has been promoted annually.
The “Fun Qurban Without Plastic Waste” initiative involves replacing single-use plastic packaging with eco-friendly, locally inspired packaging to wrap the sacrificial meat distributed during the festival. Initiated by DDV in 2021, this initiative has been recognized as one of the global movements for World Environment Day 2025.
According to the Head of the Dompet Dhuafa Volunteer (DDV) Department, Ika Akmala, this year’s initiative is being carried out in 18 provinces, targeting 1,800 plastic-free packaging alternatives.
“Our target this year is to achieve 1,800 environmentally friendly packaging units for sacrificial meat distributed across 18 provinces,” said Ika.
Furthermore, Ika also stated that this movement is not only aimed at building an environmentally friendly volunteer movement for sacrificial animals, but also as an effort to empower local MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) as providers of environmentally friendly packaging in the 18 provinces.
As done in Bitung, North Sulawesi, the DDV chapter in Bitung is empowering Daun Woka artisans to replace the elongated meat packaging with a more aesthetically pleasing design. Daun Woka itself is a popular food wrapping material widely used in North Sulawesi.
In implementing this initiative, DDV Bitung also uses the local language to enliven the movement with the phrase “Jaga Akang Torang Pe Bumi, Karna Torang Pe Bumi Cuma Satu,” which means “Let’s Protect Our Earth, Because Our Earth Is Only One.”
No less unique than the packaging of sacrificial meat in Bitung, in the Berau region of East Kalimantan, the people of Berau, together with the DDV team, use baskets made from coconut leaves, shaped in a uniquely artistic manner, as wrappers for the sacrificial meat. As a result, the distributed meat appears neater and more distinctive.
In Gorontalo, DDV replaced the meat packaging with traditional bamboo baskets made by local artisans, giving the meat packaging an exclusive appearance.
In Lampung, eco-friendly packaging used as a substitute for plastic packaging for sacrificial meat is a simple woven basket craft with a long strap tied at the top. This craft looks unique and gives a special touch to the sacrificial meat wrapped inside.
The initiative has received an enthusiastic response from the local community, as DDV has encouraged residents to participate in the collaborative effort of creating these eco-friendly packaging crafts.
As stated by Yudiansyah, a resident of Datar Lebuay Village, Air Naningan Sub-district, Tanggamus Regency, Lampung Province, he expressed his great joy and gratitude for the selection of his village as one of the areas chosen to host the “Fun Sacrifice Without Plastic Waste” initiative by DDV.
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“Praise be to God, I am very grateful for the opportunity and to be part of one of the areas that benefited from the sacrificial meat during Eid al-Adha 1446 H,” said Yudiansyah.
During the event, Yudiansyah also expressed his strong support for the use of environmentally friendly packaging as a substitute for single-use plastic packaging for wrapping sacrificial meat.
“Yes, I have coordinated with the Dompet Dhuafa branch in Lampung, and it turns out that their meat packaging uses bamboo baskets and containers, which are inherently environmentally friendly. From our side, we decided to create meat packaging made from palm leaves to support the ‘fun Eid al-Adha without plastic waste’ initiative,” added Mr. Yudiansyah.
The “Fun Sacrifice Without Plastic Waste” movement by DDV has successfully reduced thousands of single-use plastic packaging that is often used to wrap sacrificial meat for distribution every year. For example, in 2024, DDV’s team of environmentally friendly sacrifice volunteers managed to reduce single-use plastic waste by 18,277 pieces.
This initiative is carried out as a form of concern for the environment, which is increasingly threatened by the accumulation of non-biodegradable plastic waste. Through this movement, DDV aims to demonstrate that the annual qurban ritual, which is traditionally associated with the use of single-use plastic, can be performed without contributing to plastic waste.
Through this initiative, DDV hopes that the community and local SMEs participating in the movement can help protect the environment from plastic waste by reducing its use and adopting more mindful practices when using single-use plastics. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text & Photos: Shinta Fitrotun Nihayah/ID Humanity, Ayu Nadia
Editor: Dhika