SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA —– As one of the Islamic philanthropic organizations dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment, Dompet Dhuafa represented Indonesia at an international forum: The International Day of Zero Waste conversation. The event was initiated by the waste advocacy organization Race To Zero Waste, headquartered in South San Francisco, California, on Monday (March 30, 2026). The online discussion explored how the zero-waste concept is evolving in Nepal, Kenya, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Sweden, providing insightful perspectives during the session.
Dompet Dhuafa, representing Indonesia, delegated Ika Akmala to lead the discussion at The International Day of Zero Waste alongside several speakers from various countries. Together with David Ngige (Dajopen Waste Management Solutions, Kenya), Pal Martensson (World Cleanup Day, Sweden), Mahesh Nakarmi (HECAF360, Nepal), and Dr. Aman Karim (NUMS / Zero Waste Alliance, Pakistan), Ika Akmala presented the context of the volunteer movement at Dompet Dhuafa Volunteers (DDV) within the waste reduction campaign.
“So, DDV here demonstrates that philanthropic practices are not solely focused on the distribution of aid. They can also serve as a gateway to changing community behavior toward a sustainable lifestyle. Thus, DDV’s crucial role in this context lies in its ability to integrate the values of generosity with environmental action. This is then embodied through the ‘Fun Without Plastic Waste’ campaign,” explained Ika Akmala.
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Ika added that the “Asik Tanpa Sampah Plastik” program promoted by DDV is being rolled out during the Ramadan and Eid al-Adha periods. This program serves as a concrete example of how aid distribution can be carried out by replacing single-use plastic packaging with eco-friendly materials rooted in local wisdom.
With DDV’s “Fun Without Plastic Waste” campaign during Ramadan and Eid al-Adha, it certainly does more than just reduce waste generation. It also empowers local communities and strengthens public awareness of environmental conservation efforts, especially among the younger generation.
“In addition, DDV is also active in various strategic initiatives such as public education, media campaigns, and environmental cleanup efforts. It also fosters cross-sectoral collaborations with the government, religious leaders, and educational institutions. Through this approach, DDV positions volunteers as agents of change capable of bridging environmental issues with people’s daily lives,” added Ika.
This initiative successfully replaced 220,000 single-use plastic packages with eco-friendly alternatives across 25 provinces. At the forum, DDV’s contribution underscored that grassroots movements play a vital role in driving the transformation toward zero waste—a goal that goes far beyond mere waste reduction. On this occasion, DDV conveyed the message that change must begin with how we share, live, and collectively care for the earth.
Text and photos: Ika Akmala/Dompet Dhuafa
Editor: Taufan YN