With its new capital, Sirsak will roll out a traceability system to track packaging waste from source to recycler, study low-value plastics that often end up in landfills, and grow its recycling network.
JAKARTA — Sirsak, an Indonesia-based waste management startup, has raised US $600,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by Openspace Ventures, with participation from The Radical Fund. Founded in 2023, the company links brands to waste pickers, aggregators and recyclers to help meet Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations—and now aims to dramatically expand its recovery network.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Building Traceability and Collection at Scale
With its new capital, Sirsak will roll out a traceability system to track packaging waste from source to recycler, study low-value plastics that often end up in landfills, and grow its recycling network. In the coming months, the startup plans to recover 4,000 tons of packaging waste and establish 1,000 waste collection points across urban and peri-urban areas—an effort designed to streamline flows into existing waste-management value chains.
At the heart of Sirsak’s model is a suite of financial and in-kind incentives for stakeholders—especially informal waste pickers. By offering cash bonuses, mobile phone credit and protective gear, the startup encourages collectors to deliver sorted materials that help brands meet government-mandated EPR targets. This approach embeds Sirsak within Indonesia’s established recycling ecosystem rather than replacing it.
“Sirsak is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands and Indonesia’s informal waste sector “Their localized approach addresses both regulatory compliance and socioeconomic inclusion, making them a key enabler for Indonesia’s transition to circular economy practices,” said Alina Truhina, Managing Partner of The Radical Fund.
It is noted that the Radical Fund emphasized the venture’s commercial and climate impact potential.
“Their model demonstrates how technology can formalize waste management at scale, delivering commercial returns while creating meaningful social impact. “By targeting 100,000 tons of packaging waste diversion by 2030, Sirsak directly addresses Indonesia’s waste crisis while reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions,” she added.
Tech Meets a Maturing Waste Sector
Indonesia generates more than 60 million tons of waste annually, yet only 10 percent of its plastics are recycled—a gap that has spurred both community initiatives (like waste banks since 2008) and policy reforms. As the country implements EPR regulations requiring producers to cut waste by 30 percent by 2029, there is growing demand for transparent, tech-enabled solutions. Sirsak’s timing coincides with just 42 producers having submitted roadmaps as of 2023, underscoring the startup’s opportunity to help brands comply at scale.
Looking ahead, Sirsak has set an ambitious goal of diverting 100,000 tons of packaging waste from landfills by 2030, significantly reducing environmental harm and carbon dioxide emissions. Its pre-seed funding—alongside regional peers like Rekosistem, which processes 3,500 tons monthly on a $7 million raise—positions Sirsak as a rising leader in Southeast Asia’s circular economy. If successful, the startup’s model could redefine waste management in emerging markets and chart a path toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Lead image courtesy of SIRSAK
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