MERRIES Encourages Moms to Participate in Processing Used Diapers into Fuel Through Merries Senyumkan Lingkungan Innovation

Susilowati, Vice President Marketing of Kao Indonesia, said, “Through the Merries Senyumkan Lingkungan (Merries Smile for the Environment) program, MERRIES never stops innovating to deliver the best quality, starting from when the product is used on babies’ skin until it has been completely used up. Since 2019, MERRIES has been a pioneer in baby diapers that prioritize quality and also educate the public on how to process used diapers and reuse them into useful items, where the direct participation and involvement of the society is the most important factor in the sustainability of this activity. We hope that this program can be sustainable and provide benefits to MERRIES consumers, society, and the environment.”

Bahan Bakar Merries (BBM – Merries Fuel) through Merries Senyumkan Lingkungan began with the establishment of a community-based used diaper processing ecosystem, education and socialization to raise awareness of changes in used diaper processing behavior, particularly among RW 04 society and Pondok Kacang Barat Posyandu. Active community participation is also required from the outset, including cleaning and drying used diapers before bringing them to the MERRIES Drop Point available at the Kertabumi Recycling Center and several collaborating Posyandu locations. Next, the Kertabumi Recycling Center will process the used diapers received from the society using pyrolysis technology to turn them into fuel in the form of diesel/solar and gasoline/petrol, which will be useful for the surrounding community and Posyandu; gas for the operational needs of the Kertabumi Recycling Center’s recycling machines; and residues that can be used as planting media and urban farming managed by the Kertabumi Recycling Center and the surrounding community.

“We are very grateful to MERRIES for involving us by educating us on how to process used diapers, which we had previously thought of as nothing more than residual waste with no value at the Waste Bank. This information is certainly very useful and easy to implement at home, and our community can also reap the benefits of recycling,” said Sri Kusmiati, Head of Division 4 of the South Tangerang Waste Bank Association (PERBAS).

Yunita, S.Sos., Head of Pondok Kacang Barat Village, also said, “We greatly appreciate Merries Senyumkan Lingkungan initiative, which has made our area, Pondok Kacang Barat Village, the first to receive this benefit. This program not only helps reduce the problem of used diapers, which has long been a challenge at the household level, but also provides important education to the community about more responsible waste management.”

The sustainability of this program certainly requires strong cooperation and collaboration with all parties involved. Not only MERRIES as the manufacturer, but consumers, Kertabumi, and the community also play an important role in ensuring that all stages, from education and collection to the processing of used diapers into fuel, can run effectively and sustainably. Santi Novianti, Co-founder of Kertabumi Recycling Center, said, “We greatly appreciate MERRIES’ initiative in collaborating with Kertabumi Recycling Center on an ongoing basis, where we are trusted to help MERRIES process used diapers. At Kertabumi Recycling Center, we actively strive to reduce the negative impact of waste on the environment through education and creative management, as well as creating value from waste. It is this shared values and mission that also underpin the collaboration between Kertabumi Recycling Center and MERRIES. Of course, the MERRIES pyrolysis machine will also greatly assist us in carrying out our mission.”

Merries Senyumkan Lingkungan initiative is fully aligned with Kirei Lifestyle Innovation, Kao Indonesia’s ESG sustainability strategy, encouraging consumers to live cleaner, healthier, more beautiful lives with peace of mind in a sustainable environment. Through education and pyrolysis technology innovation that processes used diapers into Bahan Bakar Merries (BBM – Merries Fuel), this program is part of the Company’s tangible efforts to deliver sustainable solutions and bring benefits for improving the quality of life of the community and the environment.

“Merries” is a high-quality baby diaper and one of Kao Indonesia’s flagship products. It was launched in 2012 with the Merries Premium product line, followed by Merries Good Skin in 2014. Through Merries Smile Lab, Merries continues to innovate with Japanese technology that is constantly being developed to help parents enjoy precious moments in raising their children comfortably and happily. In 2021, Merries launched its latest product line, Merries Skin Protection. The brand name Merries is inspired by the English word “merry,” which means cheerful and smiling. Merries hopes to continue being the best friend and always bring smiles to parents and babies.

Kirei Lifestyle Innovation is Kao Indonesia’s commitment to presenting quality products and services, to improve the quality of life and bring happy smiles to the Indonesian society. Through a portfolio of leading brands such as Attack, Bioré, Laurier, Merries, Men’s Bioré, Magiclean, MegRhythm, Liese and Jergens, Kao Indonesia becomes part of the daily lives of Indonesian society to realize a Kirei life, where everyone can live a clean, healthy everyday live with a peace of mind in a sustainable environment. Currently, Kao Indonesia operates two production facilities as well as a logistic center that ensures that Kao Indonesia products can be present and reach all Indonesian people. For the latest information visit Kao Indonesia Website, Facebook and Instagram Kao Indonesia.