Waste Management Project
Chambers for Greentech
Indonesia's waste problems as a result of the positive economic development
As part of Germany’s general commitment to protect the environment and to cut greenhouse gas emissions the German government set up the initiative “Environmental Protection Made in Germany”, which is overseen by the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). With this initiative Germany aims to promote the worldwide application of technology-based waste management solutions, especially in developing and emerging countries. In 2016 the BMU and the Association of German Chambers of Commerce e.V. (DIHK) agreed to cooperate and utilize the worldwide network of German Chambers Abroad (AHK). As part of the “Chambers for Greentech” program environmental technology solutions are implemented worldwide. German companies benefit from the know-how and network of contacts in specific technology fields. Stakeholders in the different countries get access to German know-how in tackling prevailing issues like waste and water management.
One consequence of Indonesia's consistently positive economic and population growth is the significant increase in organic and inorganic waste. Meanwhile, the annual waste volume is estimated at 65 million t, of which 16 percent plastic. Indonesia ranks second worldwide among the largest producers of plastic waste in the world's oceans. According to a study by the University of Georgia in 2016, only 10 percent of the 10 million tons of plastic waste generated annually in Indonesia are recycled. More than 3 million tonnes are not disposed of properly in landfills. Of this amount, 1.29 million tonnes reach the waters.
During our first project in 2016, we conducted a baseline study on the current situation of the Indonesian waste management sector. For research purposes we visited six medium-sized cities and developed a strategy paper that would outline possible waste treatment solutions for these cities. Among the six cities were Banjarmasin and Tasikmalaya, two cities we were working with in 2018 and 2019.
Project Region 2019: Banjarmasin
In 2019 EKONID has initiated cooperation with Banjarmasin, another of the three cities from the 2016 project. The Central Waste Bank Banjarmasin, one of the partners, was also involved in the 2018 project in Tasikmalaya.
Banjarmasin was interested in continuing the cooperation after the pilot project in 2016. The city government is looking into developing technology-based waste treatment measures to treat the primarily organic waste from its rivers as well as its mixed municiapl waste. At present most of the city's waste goes almost exclusively to the landfill. With the help of a sorting machine in particular, the recyclable plastic waste to be filtered out to support the work of Waste Banks. These achieve a higher price in the local recycling market.
• ULM report (Antasari market)
• ULM presentation (Antasari market)
• ULM report (Basirih landfill)
• ULM presentation (Basirih landfill)
Project Region 2018: Tasikmalaya
In 2018 EKONID focussed on Tasikmalaya, one of the three cities discussed in the 2016 strategy paper. The main reason for this decision was the very partnership-based communication with those responsible since the project in 2016, as well as the repeatedly clearly communicated interest in modern solutions.
Representatives of the city have already been to Germany to find out about possible technology solutions. Back then the city showed interest to invest its own resources in technology-based solutions. In cooperation with BlackForest Solutions (BFS) and Universitas Siliwangi (UNSIL) we conducted a waste composition analysis on the city’s landfill and developed options of technology-based waste treatment solutions, which were then introduced to the city government.
2016 - Begining of waste management activities
EKONID development a baseline study regarding the situation of municipal waste management in Indonesia, including information from six medium-sized cities that were visited during the development of the study
• Market study "Abfallwirtschaft" (German language)
Three out of six cities were analyzed more thoroughly afterwards to develop ideas for future activities. The results were summarized in the strategy paper (second document from 2016).
