The issue of waste management in Indonesia is exacerbated by an annual increase of 2 to 4%, while the availability of facilities and infrastructure remains insufficient and does not meet required standards. Effective and targeted waste management is essential for waste control. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia established policies under Law No. 18 of 2008 on Waste Management and Regulation No. 13 of 2012, designating pilot regions to manage waste using the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) method. Waste, produced by human activities or natural processes, is discarded due to its perceived lack of utility and economic value. In 2020, Indonesia's total waste production reached 67.8 million tons, with an estimated daily output of 185,753 tons or 0.68 kilograms per person from its 270 million population. The presence of waste, particularly in landfills, poses significant issues, such as disease outbreaks and soil pollution.
Improper waste management leads to environmental degradation due to waste accumulation and methane gas emissions, which are hazardous to human health. Often, waste is mishandled due to a lack of knowledge and various constraints. With waste management capacities below 50% and recycling and community waste bank activities at a mere 11%, traditional linear waste management (collect-transport-dispose) remains prevalent across Indonesia's 514 districts and cities. Everyone desires a clean and healthy living environment, but this is challenging to achieve due to a lack of public awareness about environmental preservation. Waste management is a shared responsibility that begins with individual efforts to dispose of waste properly, not solely the obligation of local governments. Innovative approaches to waste management are necessary to shift from traditional methods to sustainable practices. Circular Economy (CE) concepts, introduced in 1966 by Kenneth Boulding, offer a framework for reducing waste through renewable energy, resource recovery, product life extension, sharing platforms, and product-as-a-service models. CE aims to minimize waste and enhance environmental sustainability, addressing Indonesia's growing waste problem and contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment.
