The government has set an ambitious target of 30% waste reduction by 2025. The ‘Gerakan Guna Ulang’ is a mean to achieve it.
Indonesia’s biggest landfills are full (or nearly full), and the government has set an ambitious target of 30% waste reduction by 2025. Gerakan Indonesia Diet Kantong Plastik and the Zero Waste Living Lab by Enviu organized the Jakarta Reuse Movement to combat this problem. This program aims to reduce single-use plastic waste using a reuse system and circularity principles.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Single-use Plastic ban in Jakarta
Since 2020, the use of single-use plastic bags has been banned by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government through Pergub No. 142 of 2019. Although the ban has increased public awareness about plastic waste, reducing plastic waste by 30 percent by 2025 requires maximum effort. DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan urged people to change their consumption patterns of single-use plastic. According to him, this movement is important for the awareness of all Jakartans.
“After the ban, the reduction of single-use plastic waste can be overcome by implementing an easy and affordable reuse system. The lack of access to alternative reuse systems is believed to be one of the biggest obstacles to adopting this lifestyle. Therefore, the Jakarta Reuse Movement intervened by educating the public about alternative lifestyles for reuse,” said Tiza Mafira, Executive Director of Gerakan Indonesia Diet Kantong Plastic (GIDKP).
Startups collaboration to create Circular System
There are three technology startups that have been supported by Enviu as part of this program. First, Koinpack operates an innovative packaging system to replace single-use packaging by offering deposits and incentives. Second, Allas, which provides the first online food and beverage delivery package in Jakarta. Third, QYOS which provides automatic refill machines for household products in shops near housing complexes.
“After the ban, the reduction of single-use plastic waste can be overcome by implementing an easy and affordable reuse system. The lack of access to alternative reuse systems is believed to be one of the biggest obstacles to adopting this lifestyle. Therefore, the Jakarta Reuse Movement intervened by educating the public about alternative lifestyles for reuse,” said Tiza Mafira, Executive Director of Gerakan Indonesia Diet Kantong Plastic (GIDKP).
So far, the Jakarta Reuse Movement has carried out several activities involving many stakeholders. These activities range from baseline research, training for merchants, public consultations, and capacity building to kick-off the program held on July 1, 2022.
The results of this public consultation will later be compiled as material for consideration in the formulation of policy recommendations for the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government. These recommendations will encourage the creation of a circular ecosystem. “Hopefully, the Reuse Jakarta Movement becomes a massive movement and can be a pilot program so that it can be implemented throughout Indonesia,” said Darina.
In a statement, Indonesia Program Lead Zero Waste Living Lab by Enviu, Darina Maulana Said,
Through this initiative, we want to show that reusable lifestyles can be a real and easy choice for all people and relevant stakeholders, such as manufacturers, retailers and the community as users. The Reuse Jakarta Movement will be monitored regularly with the hope that its implementation can be expanded to areas around Jakarta along with more stakeholders in it
About Gerakan Indonesia Diet Kantong Plastik
Gerakan Indonesia Diet Kantong Plastik (GIDKP) is a non-profit organization incorporated as an association that has received various awards for its efforts to create a Single-use Plastic Free Indonesia. By taking an advocacy, collaboration, and education approach, GIDKP has succeeded in encouraging more than 70 cities/districts to ban the use of single-use plastics. GIDKP was the initiator of the 2016 “No Free Plastic Bags” (#Pay4Plastic) trial across Indonesia together with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, which succeeded in reducing plastic bag consumption by 55%. Various awards that have been obtained by GIDKP include the Mental Revolution Award from the Government of Indonesia (2019) and the 2018 UN Ocean Hero appreciation from the United Nations.
About Zero Waste Living Lab By Enviu
Zero Waste Living Lab is a program of Enviu, ZWLL by Enviu, a venture building studio that develops consumer-friendly and marketable solutions with local entrepreneurs for environmental and social impact. The business that ZWLL is building focuses on reducing plastic waste upstream. Since its launch in 2019, ZWLL has created seven businesses that have a direct impact and drive the Indonesian market towards zero-use plastic waste.
