Pizza Hut & TUKR: Teaching Kids Sustainability, One Slice at a Time

JAKARTA, Indonesia – July 24, 2026 – For a decade, Pizza Hut Indonesia’s ‘Pizza Maker Junior’ program has been a beloved rite of passage for millions of children, offering them the chance to step into a chef’s shoes and create their own pizzas. But this year, as the program celebrates its 10th anniversary, it’s adding a crucial new ingredient: environmental stewardship. In a landmark partnership with TUKR, Indonesia’s largest direct collector of used cooking oil (UCO), Pizza Hut is transforming its popular educational activity into a powerful platform for sustainability education.

Launched to commemorate Indonesia's National Children's Day, this special edition of 'Pizza Maker Junior' moves beyond the kitchen. It now takes young participants on an eye-opening journey from farm to table and, critically, from waste to renewable energy. By integrating hands-on learning about responsible waste management, the collaboration aims to instill eco-conscious values in the next generation, proving that a lesson in sustainability can be as engaging as crafting the perfect pizza.

A Recipe for a Greener Generation

Since its inception, 'Pizza Maker Junior' has been one of Pizza Hut Indonesia's most successful educational initiatives, reaching over five million children and helping them develop creativity and confidence. The program's 10th anniversary marks a significant evolution, aligning with the company's broader 'Pizza Hut Peduli 8P' corporate social responsibility (CSR) framework, which emphasizes creating, caring, and appreciating.

This year’s participants don't just learn to top a pizza; they discover the story behind its ingredients. The program now includes educational visits to locally sourced paprika farms supported by Pizza Hut, giving children a tangible connection to their food's origins. The journey continues with an immersive experience at TUKR’s state-of-the-art facility in Bekasi, West Java. Here, children witness firsthand how used cooking oil—a common kitchen byproduct—is collected and transformed into valuable biofuel.

“For the past 10 years, Pizza Maker Junior has been part of the learning journey of more than five million Indonesian children,” said Herryady, Local Store Manager of Pizza Hut Indonesia. “Through this special edition, we want to offer a more meaningful experience—from making pizza and discovering where ingredients come from to understanding the importance of protecting our environment. We hope these values stay with them as they grow.”

To make this enriching experience more accessible, Pizza Hut is offering special promotions. Families dining in can receive a complimentary 'Pizza Maker Junior' package with the purchase of a qualifying pizza, while schools can benefit from a group offer, receiving five free packages for every 20 purchased.

The Hidden Journey of Used Cooking Oil

The partnership between Pizza Hut Indonesia and TUKR addresses a critical environmental and public health issue in Indonesia. With frying being a staple cooking method, the country generates a massive volume of used cooking oil. When disposed of improperly, UCO can clog drainage systems and pollute waterways. Worse, its illicit reuse in food preparation poses serious health risks. Despite this, national collection rates for UCO remain low, with estimates suggesting that as much as 77% of available UCO is not efficiently collected.

This is where TUKR steps in. As an International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified company, TUKR operates a nationwide network to collect UCO from over 9,000 businesses, communities, and households, ensuring it is responsibly recycled into biofuel. This renewable energy source emits up to 84% less greenhouse gas than conventional fossil fuels.

The collaboration with Pizza Hut is a testament to the partnership's scale and impact. Between June 2024 and June 2026, TUKR collected 90 tons of UCO from approximately 300 Pizza Hut and Pizza Hut Delivery (PHD) locations. This effort alone prevented an estimated 102,827 kilograms of carbon emissions and protected up to 31 billion liters of fresh water.

Adhi Putra Tawakal, Head of Brand & Partnership at TUKR, highlighted the importance of this work. “Proper and sustainable management of used cooking oil by qualified and authorized organizations plays an important role in protecting public health, especially for children as Indonesia's future generation,” he stated. “We appreciate Pizza Hut Indonesia's long-standing trust in partnering with us to responsibly manage its used cooking oil and help prevent misuse that could pose health risks.”

Setting a New Standard for Corporate Impact

While many large food and beverage companies in Indonesia are embracing sustainability, Pizza Hut’s initiative stands out for its unique and targeted approach. Competitors have launched commendable programs, such as reducing plastic packaging, promoting reusable cups, and ensuring sustainable ingredient sourcing. However, the Pizza Hut and TUKR partnership is distinct in its direct focus on the circular economy, turning a specific waste stream into a renewable resource while simultaneously integrating this complex topic into an accessible educational program for children.

By linking a fun, established activity with a tangible environmental solution, Pizza Hut is not just fulfilling a CSR objective; it is actively shaping consumer awareness and behavior from the ground up. This model of corporate-led environmental education sets a new benchmark in the industry, demonstrating how businesses can leverage their brand reach to foster a deeper understanding of sustainability issues.

Scaling a Sustainable Future

The vision for this partnership extends far beyond the 10th-anniversary celebration. Pizza Hut Indonesia aims to expand the UCO collection program to include all of its more than 575 restaurant locations nationwide. This commitment aligns with TUKR's broader mission to popularize UCO collection across Indonesia, including through household-focused programs like 'MENYALA with TUKR'.

This initiative is perfectly timed with Indonesia’s national ambition to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2060, a goal in which biofuels are expected to play a crucial role. As consumer demand for sustainable and environmentally responsible products grows, partnerships like this one not only contribute to national goals but also build significant brand loyalty.

Through this collaboration, Pizza Hut Indonesia and TUKR are doing more than just making pizza and recycling oil; they are investing in a future where children are not just consumers but conscious citizens, equipped with the knowledge and inspiration to care for their environment.