Durian. The Indonesian government has launched Packaging Recovery Organization (PRO) to fight against a long-standing plastic waste problem.
The organization was a result of collaboration between the government and Packaging and Recycling Association for Indonesia Sustainable Environment, or PRAISE, and was taken as an “extraordinary measure”, according to Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
“[The government has] repeatedly expressed the commitment to take extraordinary measures and to implement change in system in order to combat plastic waste problem and pollution it caused,” Pandjaitan said at the virtual launching on Aug.25.
He added that working together with private sectors, like corporations, is inevitable and pivotal in projects like PRO. Further, nowadays, corporations are encouraged to take bigger role on plastic waste reduction through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) that emphasizes circular economy practice.
Pilot projects of PRO have been taking place in Surabaya and Bali. Among the focuses for the program is the optimization of local waste banks.
Besides acting as a small institution to encourage circular economy, Pandjaitan said waste banks could also results in financial benefit for society. Therefore, he asked local governments to participate in PRO programs by ensuring all necessary infrastructures are prepared.
“Local governments are expected to prepare the infrastructure for plastic waste collection as well as involving existing waste banks. Our data shows Indonesia currently has more than 7,000 waste banks all across the country, and they all need to be fostered because they are part of circular economy and could also be economic empowerment to society,” Pandjaitan said.
For example, one major waste bank in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, has more than 2,000 families registered as members. In a year, they could sort, collect and sell plastic waste until up to 50 tons.
PRAISE chairman Karyanto Wibowo said that the formation of PRO in Indonesia could help accelerating the practice of circular economy and he encouraged more industry players to show the same commitment and join the movement.
“We hope the government, industrial sector, and other formal and semi-formal sectors could join this initiative to create a sustainable Indonesia,” Wibowo said during the lauching.
