The Maybank Marathon 2024 held in Bali this year was not just a typical international race with the Elite Label from World Athletics. It stood out for its integration of sustainability initiatives, making it a more environmentally friendly event. With around 13,000 participants from Indonesia and abroad, the race started and finished at the Bali United Training Center in Gianyar, Bali, creating a lively and successful atmosphere.
One of the key sustainability initiatives at the Maybank Marathon 2024 was the carbon offset program offered to participants. This program aimed to reduce emissions during the event, contributing to a greener and more sustainable race. AQUA, the official water sponsor of the event, played a significant role in supporting environmental conservation efforts. They collaborated with over 100 volunteers from the Malu Dong Buang Sampah Sembarangan Foundation to educate runners on proper waste disposal and collect trash from all 29 water stations along the course.
AQUA also provided dropbox collection points in the race village area for participants to deposit their plastic bottles, ensuring they could be recycled. All the collected waste was then processed by Eco Bali, a local waste management company appointed by the Maybank Marathon organizers. This initiative not only helped keep the race area clean but also promoted responsible waste management practices among participants.
Widya Permana, director of Operations at PT Bank Maybank Indonesia and project director of the Maybank Marathon 2024, expressed appreciation for AQUA’s support and commitment to environmental conservation. The collaboration between AQUA and Maybank Marathon reflects the shared concern of the food-beverage and banking sectors in supporting sustainability agendas, aligning with the M25+ priority strategy of the Maybank Group to lead in ESG initiatives within the ASEAN region.
The collected waste from the event will be recycled and processed into AQUA bottle packaging and other plastic products, while non-plastic and organic waste will be fully utilized to prevent environmental pollution. AQUA’s presence at various water stations along the course ensured that participants had access to clean drinking water to stay hydrated and maintain their performance during the marathon. Additionally, participants were offered reusable silicone and paper cups as alternatives to reduce plastic consumption.
Arif Mujahidin, director of Corporate Communications at Danone Indonesia, highlighted AQUA’s role as the official water sponsor in meeting the hydration needs of all participants at the Maybank Marathon 2024. By providing water sourced from protected natural springs, AQUA ensured that runners stayed healthy and motivated throughout the race. The efforts made by AQUA in providing mineral water and collecting waste at the event aimed to raise awareness among participants and the Balinese community about the importance of water intake and environmental conservation.
These sustainability initiatives by AQUA at the Maybank Marathon 2024 are part of the #BijakBerplastik campaign, supporting the Clean Indonesia Movement. Through this campaign, AQUA has successfully collected more plastic waste used by the local community in Bali, contributing to a cleaner and greener environment. Overall, the integration of sustainability initiatives at the Maybank Marathon 2024 sets a positive example for future international races, emphasizing the importance of environmental responsibility in sporting events.