One initiative is the #SayaAjaBisa campaign: One small step, one big impact for the Earth, which invites employees and the public to take an active role in protecting the environment through simple actions.

Surakarta Clean Month took place in the Batik Laweyan village of Surakarta on Sept. 7, 2024, involving around 500 volunteers, SRC grocery store owners and the Solo Bersih community. The cleanup activities targeted the Jenes River and the Batik Laweyan village.

Enthusiastic and energetic participants swept and collected trash, including plastics, tree branches, clothing, used water bottles and other household waste. The trash was collected in provided bags and gathered before being deposited at the Putri Cempo Landfill.

In addition to the cleanup, symbolic handovers took place: 333 plant seedlings were given to the Laweyan River community, trash bins were handed over to the head of Laweyan village, trash bins were given to neighborhood unit (RT) and community unit (RW) representatives of Laweyan village and cleaning equipment was presented to the Solo Bersih community.

Setiawan Muhammad, chair of the Batik Laweyan Development Forum, stated that village and river cleanups have been frequently carried out.

"However, this is the first time we have collaborated with other parties for an event in Batik Laweyan village. I am very grateful for it. It shows concern for the environment in Batik Laweyan village," said Setiawan, commonly known as Iwan.

Iwan also mentioned that Surakarta Clean Month is part of the series of events marking the anniversary of Batik Laweyan, which falls on Sept. 25, 2024.

"On the 25th, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Batik Laweyan. There will be a series of events leading up to Batik Day on Oct. 2," he revealed.

Iwan explained that the cleanup focused on the Jenes River because of the trash that has accumulated under the bridge. He mentioned that cleanup activities would continue and, in the future, would cover the entire length of the Jenes River in Laweyan.

"Since the area under the bridge tends to be dirty each month because of trash collecting there, we decided to clean it up," Iwan said.

Farid Sunarto, Deputy Chair of the Organization and Communication Division of Kadin Surakarta, expressed pleasure at seeing volunteers concerned about the environment.

"It is very gratifying to see that people care about the environment," Farid stated.

Farid added that environmental issues are currently a serious concern, not only at the national level but also internationally.

Arief Triastika, a representative from Sampoerna for Indonesia, hopes that the environmental cleanup activities in Batik Laweyan will have a positive impact on the broader community.

"Our hope is that these activities can yield results and benefits that inspire others to see that simple actions can have a significant impact on many people," Arief said.

"We are also actively organizing and supporting various activities, such as education on proper waste disposal. One such activity is the #SayaAjaBisa movement since 2018, aimed at increasing public awareness about environmental protection," he added.

One participant, Budi Susilowati, 58, an SRC member involved in the Batik Laweyan cleanup, expressed her satisfaction with participating in the event.

She hopes that through this activity, the community, especially in Batik Laweyan village, will maintain good environmental practices, including proper trash disposal.

"I hope that the local community will use the available trash bins," said the resident of Kartasura, Sukoharjo.

Umi Muslimah, 43, another SRC grocery store owner who participated in the cleanup, mentioned that it was her first time joining a cleanup in Batik Laweyan. She attended the event with other SRC participants.

"Yes, this is my first time participating in a cleanup at Batik Laweyan village," said the resident of Boyolali.

"I hope Solo becomes clean and radiant, as per its motto 'berseri' [radiant]," she concluded.