Indonesian plastic bottle recycling company, PT Amandina Bumi Nusantara (Amandina), has successfully exported Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) resin to Europe, marking a significant achievement in Indonesia's circular economy. Amandina processes post-consumer PET bottles into food-contact approved Recycled PET resin, meeting the stringent requirements of the Indonesian National Standards (SNI). Amandina's success is underscored by its compliance with the Indonesian National Standards for quality management systems, attainment of the ISO 9001 standard, and the proven acceptance of its recycled products in the European market, according to Managing Director Suharji Gasal, as reported by Bisnis.com. The recycling of PET plastic, a crucial step in curbing plastic waste, has become pivotal as Indonesia's plastic recycling rate stands at a modest 7%, with PET constituting 75% of the recycled plastic. The World Bank reported that in 2021, Indonesia generated approximately 7.8 million tons of plastic waste annually, of which 4.9 million tons remained unmanaged, posing environmental hazards.
To address this challenge, strengthening the recycling industry necessitates enhanced connectivity and integration among plastic waste stakeholders, spanning from waste banks to recycling plants. PT Amandina sources its raw materials from the Yayasan Mahija Parahita Nusantara through 30 partner collectors nationwide. The recycling facility processes an impressive 31,500 tons of used PET bottles annually, equivalent to 1.5 billion bottles. This achievement not only showcases the economic viability of circular practices but also contributes significantly to Indonesia's efforts in reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable practices. As the country grapples with a substantial plastic waste problem, successful endeavors like PT Amandina's export of recycled PET resin to Europe provide encouraging prospects for the growth and impact of the recycling industry in Indonesia.
