Strengthening source management and developing the recycling industry
In Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province in Indonesia, the "Rivers Without Waste" project was launched last year. Twenty barriers have been installed along local rivers to reduce the amount of plastic waste entering the Bunaken National Marine Park. Positioned at river mouths, these barriers trap waste, preventing it from flowing further and concentrating it for collection. Staff regularly retrieve the intercepted waste, around 20% of which can be recycled. It is estimated that these barriers can prevent 250 tons of waste from entering the water each year, helping to improve the surrounding ecological environment.
Waste is one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing Indonesia. According to official data, the country generates 64 million tons of waste annually, of which 7.68 million tons is plastic waste.
In response, the Indonesian government enacted a regulation in 2017 aimed at reducing and managing solid waste, followed by a specific regulation targeting marine waste in 2018. The government also set a target under the "Indonesia Clean Waste Plan 2025," aiming to reduce waste by 30% at the source by the end of 2025 and improve waste management by 70%.
Across multiple regions in Indonesia, integrated pilot projects for waste management facilities have been implemented. Through the establishment of temporary waste processing sites, preliminary sorting and recycling of community waste have been carried out to improve treatment efficiency. Many communities have also introduced "waste bank" programs, where residents can exchange recyclable waste for cash or other items based on weight.
An increasing number of Indonesian companies are investing in solid waste reuse initiatives, such as processing plastic waste into mixed asphalt for road paving and converting waste materials like plastic, paper, fabric, and leather into solid fuel as a substitute for coal. The Indonesian Ministry of National Development Planning has stated that the government encourages the development of the waste recycling industry, with the goal of creating 1,000 new companies by 2030, employing 3 million workers, and contributing 200 trillion Indonesian rupiah (approximately US$1 = 16,415 rupiah) to the economy, while also reducing waste generation by 50%.
Elec Barrel remains committed to the principles of customer-first service and top-tier product quality, providing customers with the best value-for-money metal waste containers and waste management solutions.
