Why Indonesia
Plastic Leakage in Indonesia
The land of thousand islands
Known to the world as the “thousand-island country,” Indonesia has a total of 17,508 islands, among which ~6,000 are inhabited with a population of 276 million. The vast array of land mass makes it a significant challenge to consolidate the waste for proper management. As a result, its oceans are the recipient of all trash.
Large plastic consumption and inadequate infrastructure
Indonesia is the 4th populous country and ranks No. 2 among selected countries polluting the oceans with the most plastic waste (chart below).
Weakening state of the Indonesian rivers - Citarum example
‘Sacred river’ in local language, is considered to be the 'the world's most polluted.'
2,000 tons of plastic flows through the Citarum every day.
Rafts of plastic waste measuring miles long drifting through it periodically during the rainy season.
Species of fish reduced by ~60% in recent years, and those left are deemed too dangerous to eat.
Locals are forced to throw their garbage into the river because of lack of access to landfill.
Citarum is a reflection of the rest of rivers in Indonesia.
Government Reaction
Government pledges to
Reduce plastics by 70% by the year of 2025
Achieve a plastic pollution-free Indonesia by 2040
Spend up to $1 billion annually to support this goal
Collaborate to launch the Indonesia National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) with the World Economic Forum
Large plastic consumption and inadequate infrastructure
Citarum Harum - National Initiative since 2018
Citarum Harum was initiated by the government and the military to clean up Citarum river to make it drinkable by 2025.
Plastic tax
Plastic tax of Rp.200 (1p) per plastic bag was introduced in 23 cities during 2017. The results showed a decrease in plastic bag use, but the tax was met with notable resistance from retailers.
Public awareness
11 ministries have agreed to a National Action Plan, including measures to educate the public, but it’s unlikely to be sufficient to significantly reduce dependency on single-use plastics.
Law making and application
Law enables provincial governments to create incentives and disincentives to use public facilities. Regional governments are still deferring to the national government for approval and support before taking actions to make changes.
International Collaboration
The world has seen efforts made by the Indonesian government embracing innovative technologies and collaborating with global NGOs and private capitalists.
Cenkareng Drain - Dutch NGO Ocean Cleanup
Catamaran design
Solar powered
Barrier-guided trash pass way
Conveyor belt collecting trash
Device cost: 200-300k Euros
Side streams of Citarum river - German Startup Plastic Fischer
60 cm depth stainless steel net supported by boom
Manual trash pick up by local army by boat
Side stream focused - low water speed + no water traffic
Bekasi river-One Earth One Ocean and Schwarz Group
Cleaning boats:See Hamster
Number of boats: 3
Donated by: Schwarz Group
Local operator: Waste4Change
Estimated catch (all waste): 600kg/day
Citarum river-US NGO Clean Currents Coalition (planning)
Funded by: Benioff Ocean Initiative & Coca-Cola Foundation
Led by: Greeneration Foundation (Indonesia NGO)
Device created by: Riverrecycle (Finland waste management Co.)
Automatic collection wheel lifting trash out
Strategically located nearby waste sorting facilities