48 SDG 15 Life on Land – Sawo Kecik

Group Reflection

Our story was centered on Sawo Kecik, an emerging grassroots retail company based in Indonesia, and how it utilizes a unique plastic weaving process to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the local area. It was founded by Dikko Andrey Kurniawan in October 2020, who saw that the amount of plastic waste in Indonesia was rapidly increasing and piling up. Dikko saw an opportunity to help slow down the problem by coming up with a method of weaving used plastics into various products and selling them, a process unbeknownst to any of us before this project. We found his innovative and entrepreneurial mindset fascinating and decided to interview him for our project.

Aside from the mission to reduce plastic waste, the company also focused on empowering other members of the community to get involved in its operations. As Dikko told us, “seeing the increasing amount of plastic waste motivates us to get young people to take part in efforts to save the environment.” Another thing we found admirable were the companies attempts to educate the community and raise awareness of plastic waste buildup. By partnering with Edu EkoWisata we found that the company has been able to collaborate with different schools adding sustainable waste management to the learning curriculum and informing the community on how to turn waste into useful goods or products and the benefits of this endeavor. We quickly realized that Sawo Kecik not only worked towards a sustainable future, but also had a social mission to educate and involve the community.

The innovation story of Sawo Kecik strongly aligns with the concepts of the 17 sustainable development goals, the triple bottom line, and accountability. It describes the principles of sustainable development by addressing environmental issues through innovative business practices and making a positive contribution to both society and the environment, not solely for profit.

Sawo Kecik’s business model, which revolves around recycling plastic waste, perfectly fits within the framework of the 17 sustainable development goals. By recycling plastic waste that was previously discarded, they transform it into marketable and profitable products. Through plastic waste recycling, Sawo Kecik has also contributed to reducing environmental waste issues and turning waste into economic value, aligning with the triple bottom line concept, and considering social and environmental aspects, not just profits. Furthermore, Sawo Kecik’s engagement with the local community resonates with aspects of accountability and social responsibility in business. They not only address environmental concerns but also tackle social challenges like eradicating poverty and inequality. Sawo Kecik’s innovation showcases that business isn’t solely about profit but can prioritize environmental and social impacts.

The business innovation story of Sawo Kecik elucidates the relationship between sustainability aspects and environmentally and socially responsible business practices. Through this story, it never occurred to us before that waste, typically discarded and overlooked, could generate economic gains. Certainly, it’s not as simple to convert waste into economically valuable products; it involves a lengthy process to create such economically valuable products. From Sawo Kecik’s story, we learn that in business, it’s not just about profit but also about the social and environmental impact on society. Additionally, we learn that continuous innovation aligned with sustainable aspects is crucial in business.

AIM2Flourish is the world’s pioneering higher-education curriculum, business innovation storytelling platform, and annual prize dedicated to the Global Goals and positive business impact. Through a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experience, students from various countries come together to study the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and explore how businesses can leverage SDGs through innovative practices, be it in products, services, or business models. During our COIL opportunity, we identified a company with the potential to share its story on AIM2Flourish.

We chose ‘Sawo Kecik’ as an inspiring company due to its innovations positively impacting various SDGs, including Goal 9 – industry, Innovation, and infrastructure, and goal 13 – climate action.
In our interview with Sawo Kecik’s founder, we gained insights into how their innovation stands out among companies that do not align with SDGs. Sawo Kecik has transformed plastic waste into economically valuable products and empowered communities through the Edu-Eco-Tourism program, raising awareness about viewing challenges from a different perspective.

Our experience with Sawo Kecik made us realize that issues in our surroundings can become impactful business ideas when approached with a positive mindset. This also ties into business ethics, emphasizing that a business should not solely focus on profitability but should prioritize making a positive impact on society and the environment. Through this, companies can collaborate in achieving sustainable development goals, reshaping our perspective on the role and responsibility of businesses in building a sustainable future. Setting goals for sustainability stimulates creativity and the development of new solutions to address environmental, social, and economic challenges.

The experience of being part of the Aim2Flourish assignment and working hand in hand with students from all over the world was extremely rewarding. We had all different skills and perspectives that made our work better and demonstrated how important it is to learn about being flexible and understanding, communicating and working together as a group. We dealt also with challenges such as coordinating across different time zones and through platforms like Zoom or Google Meeting.

Our courses at university helped us prepare for the assignment. We learned about collaboration techniques and possible differences between us to be able to anticipate them and foster collaboration and cross-cultural communication. But it was during these past weeks that we really got to know each other and test ourselves. We found out that our own diversity gave us extra tools when solving problems, and further taught us to be open-minded, adaptable, considerate and patient.

The courses we took provided a sufficient knowledge foundation for effective teamwork. Skills in effective communication, understanding diverse communication styles, helped us participate in expressing opinions and actively engage in discussions. Problem-solving skills enabled us to share roles and tasks effectively to complete weekly assignments with efficient problem-solving abilities. Understanding team dynamics and team members’ strengths and weaknesses strengthened our team’s dynamics, forming a balanced and harmonious team. Additionally, project management aided us in organizing meeting schedules, task distribution, and efficiently accomplishing tasks. Lastly, lessons in appreciating different opinions and perspectives allowed us to acknowledge varying viewpoints within the group, fostering mutual respect and enabling our group to function smoothly.

COIL activities require us to conduct weekly meetings via Zoom or Google Meeting, and our first step is to determine a suitable time to ensure the participation of all members. Determining the right time can be challenging due to significant time zone differences and each member’s busy schedule. However, we have successfully overcome these challenges.

In each meeting, there are tasks to be completed, and we distribute them fairly. Every week, we take turns in screen recording and uploading to Google Classroom. Interview tasks are assigned to two individuals, story tasks to another two, and poster creation tasks to a different pair. For our final task, critical reflection, we collaborated by dividing sections among ourselves and consolidating our opinions.
Working with a diverse group of students from various universities worldwide was an enriching experience in many ways. The variation of perspectives, insights, and cultural differences brought depth to our discussions and analysis. Our group contained students from different academic backgrounds, Canadians, Indonesians, and Spanish.

What worked remarkably well was the combination of diverse viewpoints. Each team member brought unique perspectives shaped by their cultural and educational backgrounds. This diversity allowed us to approach challenges from multiple angles, fostering creativity and comprehensive analysis. Moreover, the cultural differences provided varied lenses through which we viewed business innovation and sustainability, enhancing the richness of our final report. Also cultural differences became opportunities for learning and understanding different approaches to sustainability and innovation.

However, challenges arose due to communication barriers and time zone differences. Coordinating meetings became tricky because of conflicting schedules, causing occasional delays in our progress. Additionally, language barriers surfaced occasionally, requiring extra effort to ensure everyone comprehended and contributed effectively to discussions. Another challenge we had to face was the varying levels of engagement from team members due to different academic pressures and cultural work styles that affected the workload distribution unevenly, but we handled these with ease. Last but not least, we had many technological limitations as reliance on technology sometimes led to glitches and made smooth communication and file sharing complicated.

Yet, these challenges became opportunities for growth. We learned to leverage technology, such as translators, to bridge the gaps. Flexibility and understanding played pivotal roles in overcoming these obstacles. As a team, we cultivated patience and adaptability, learning to appreciate the diversity that initially posed challenges.

Individual Reflections

Marcos: Being a member of an international team for the Aim2Flourish project opened my eyes to the challenges and benefits of working across cultural boundaries, and it was a life-changing experience. At first, there were difficulties because of the many viewpoints on our team, which included people from various universities and cultural backgrounds. It took time and an open mind to understand one another’s perspectives and working methods. Overcoming linguistic and time zone hurdles to facilitate communication was a never-ending task. Due to competing schedules, the need for flexibility, and the need for inventive scheduling solutions, organizing meetings frequently felt like a puzzle.
Our team’s tenacity and unity in the face of these obstacles were impressive. We used a combination of synchronous and asynchronous communication methods to meet everyone’s schedules and guarantee ongoing development. Seeing how technology closed the gaps and allowed us to work together productively even though we were physically apart from one another was encouraging.
Handling uneven donations was another learning curve. Because of varying work cultures or academic demands, some team members were more involved. Achieving equilibrium and allocating responsibilities to guarantee equitable involvement necessitated diplomatic dialogue and reciprocal comprehension.
Nevertheless, despite these difficulties, there were enormous benefits. Our conversations were enhanced by the exposure to other points of view, which encouraged creative solutions and thorough assessments. I gained great knowledge from the experience about patience, adaptability, and the value of accepting variety in problem-solving. It was quite satisfying to see the culmination of our team’s work produce a thorough report on how a business is contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. Overall, this experience solidified my understanding of international cooperation by highlighting the value of tenacity, tolerance, and cultural awareness in accomplishing shared objectives across boundaries.

Jason: Throughout the course of the AIM2Flourish project, I was able to gain insight into the many moving parts that are involved when working with an international team. This project required a level of trust and understanding between each group member that I believe we were able to develop quite well. Taking account of time differences, we were able to set up meetings at times that worked well for all of us despite the 6 – 12 hour time gap. On the rare occasion that a group member missed a meeting their partner would keep them updated about what was discussed. We were also able to divide work according to each other’s strengths and weaknesses to achieve the best results.
We did come across a few challenges such as responding to each other on time and overcoming language barriers. Regardless of the situation however, we were able to adapt and overcome these obstacles, learning from our mistakes and using them to propel us even further. Although we did not get the opportunity to physically see each other in real life, I feel that I have gained a sense of camaraderie with each of my fellow group members. Our collaboration has been a memorable experience unlike any other I have participated in thus far and I will continue to reference it in future group efforts that I undertake.
Before taking on the project I had little to no knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals, but learning about each of these objectives and that there are companies actively working towards achieving them has filled me with hope for our future and has me thinking “How can I do my part?”. I have become more aware of the current needs of the world and have decided that in whichever field I find myself working in professionally, I will ensure that I am actively pursuing an SDG to the best of my ability.

Sukma: It is a highly valuable experience and opportunity to participate in the COIL project. Meeting individuals from universities in various countries provides an enjoyable experience. From this activity, I’ve learned the importance of respecting cultural, linguistic, and professional differences among colleagues. Additionally, through interviews focusing on sustainable business aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, I have come to understand the significance of establishing businesses that prioritize not only profit but also environmental and societal considerations. Certainly, this activity comes with its challenges, such as dealing with different time zones and requiring us to coordinate meeting times effectively. Juggling our diverse activities becomes evident during Zoom sessions, with some group members commuting, working, or studying. Nevertheless, they still allocate time to fulfill COIL tasks. Turning these challenges into valuable lessons and experiences has been a rewarding aspect of my participation in the project.

Omike: Being part of the COIL Project made me discover new experiences. This is my first experience making friends and communicating directly in two ways with friends from abroad. I am very excited to study with them. My team is very friendly and warm. We work well together, tolerate each other because of the time difference, and are not selfish. They are the best team ever. Apart from that, through this project I also learned a lot about companies that pay attention to their business so that it has a positive impact on society and the environment. They create a world that is sustainable. This supports the SDGs and inspires everyone to continue to channel their creativity and innovation. I am proud to be part of this project, so that I am an effective agent of change in achieving the SDGs.

Valeria: Participating on the Aim2Flourish project was an enriching experience from every perspective. Starting from coordination with teammates from different universities and backgrounds was challenging, especially when finding a time to meet that met with all of our schedules. It took time to understand how the dynamic would be between us, but in the end we all made it work very well I would say. We tried at all times to have in mind our cultural differences and make sure no one was left behind. In the end I feel that my experience was not about the project but rather it was a crash course in adaptability, patience, communication and overall team work. I am happy to have participated in this project and I think I can say that we are all proud of the outcome.

Kiran: Engaging with and being part of an international group was a very enriching experience. Collaborating with my team members was a source of genuine enjoyment, and I feel sincerely thankful for the opportunity to connect with such wonderful individuals from Indonesia and Spain. Within our team, we worked really well together and everyone had brought unique perspectives and strengths that we recognized and effectively used. Each member had a wealth of skills and insights that they brought to the table. Everyone in this group is highly dependable, they were all committed to the same goal. This project helped teach me that everyone’s voice matters and that our collective effort makes a meaningful difference. I am grateful that we were able to represent this company and sharing Sawo Keciks story was truly a privilege. I appreciate the company’s commitment to several SDG’s. I look forward to advocating for more socially responsible business practices.