JAKARTA, JUNE 21, 2024. PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) continued to strengthen its sustainability or ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) program in its business processes. One of them is by educating employees. For this reason, in early June 2024, XL Axiata held a Sustainability Week program with various events, from talk shows, podcasts, film screenings, green product bazaars, to workshops on waste management. Through this program, management invites employees to care about managing waste, both at home and at work. XL Axiata is also determined to strengthen its commitment to waste management with concrete steps to make the company's environment #Better.
Yessie D. Yosetya, XL Axiata's Director & Chief Enterprise Business Officer and Corporate Affairs Officer, stated, "The recent Sustainability Week provided us with an opportunity to explore ESG principles and their practical applications. Employees are crucial to the implementation of these principles in our business processes. Hence, it is vital to build their awareness. Management is pleased with the significant support and feedback from employees regarding sustainability."
Yessie further noted that the primary focus of the Sustainability Week program is on XL Axiata employees, as they are essential to driving substantial changes in sustainability practices. By raising awareness about sustainability, employees can better understand its importance in the company's operations. Ultimately, by engaging employees, XL Axiata aims to foster a work environment that prioritizes sustainability, benefiting the company in both operational efficiency and reputation in the long run.
According to Yessie, employees who thoroughly understand sustainability are better equipped to implement eco-friendly and efficient practices in their work. This not only benefits the environment but also enhances the company's operational efficiency. Additionally, when employees are actively engaged in sustainability initiatives, they feel more contributive and show higher engagement with the company. This can foster a stronger company culture and improve employee retention.
Company Commitment
Concerning waste management, XL Axiata has emphasized the importance of employee education due to the urgent global waste issue. Improper waste management can lead to environmental problems such as water and soil pollution and contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions from landfills. Therefore, the company feels the need to introduce practical solutions for waste management, including recycling, composting, and reducing single-use plastic. Employees can learn simple yet effective methods to minimize waste production.
"After receiving input from experts and practitioners, the company plans to implement several new initiatives. One of these is a program for separating organic, non-organic, and plastic waste, which will be launched at the head office and all XL Axiata offices in the regions. This initiative aims to improve waste management efficiency and ensure that all company operations consistently support sustainability practices," emphasized Yessie.
As one of the speakers at the Sustainability Talk talk show titled “Waste Management: Why Should I Care”, Saka Dwi Hanggara as a representative of Waste4Change said, "In order to achieve a clean and waste-free Indonesia, an active role is needed from all parties. In this case, the government plays a role in making regulations and policies, producers and the community need to limit and manage waste, and other stakeholders must contribute in their capacities. Waste management is a collective responsibility."
To coincide with Sustainability Week, XL Axiata also organized a World Environment Day celebration. During this series of events, the focus on waste management practices was heightened through a talk show called "The Green Scene: Empowering Eco-Lifestyle." The duo Valerie and Veronika, founders of Sustainbabes, encouraged, "The earth doesn't need us; we need the earth. We need more people making small, imperfect efforts rather than one person making perfect efforts. Let's start composting to reduce the dangerous accumulation of organic waste in landfills."
By improving waste management practices, companies can significantly lessen their environmental impact. This not only benefits the planet but also enhances the company's reputation as a responsible and sustainable organization. One of the key insights XL Axiata gained from experts during the Sustainability Week was the importance of separating organic, non-organic, and plastic waste. Effective waste segregation can reduce landfill volumes and increase recycling rates.