Refill, reuse, recycle pilot project wraps up lasting legacy
Fresh thinking about using plastics is sealed in Banyuwangi, East Java, as a pioneering project eyes its next stage.
Plastics in Indonesian Societies, PISCES Partnership has taken significant steps to tackle Indonesia's severe plastic waste problem, which ranks among the most critical in the world.
Driven by Brunel University London and PISCES Action Delivery Partner, Enviu, the £50,000 scheme introduced reusable refillable packaging to replace single-use sachets for everyday items like snacks and toiletries.
"We’re thrilled with the results," said Brunel’s Dr Eleni Iacovidou."The community’s willingness to adopt reusable solutions highlights the potential for expanding this approach across Indonesia."
Working with local shops, rice mills and factories, the team designed refillable packaging to reduce reliance on single-use sachets – a main source of plastic waste, especially in low-income areas. Teaching communities how to sort plastic waste and recycle effectively was another key achievement of the three-year pilot.
Convincing people to change habits took patience and co-operation. “People understand the plastic problem,” explained Dr Iacovidou, who lectures in environmental management. “But switching to new alternatives can be tough, as it involves changing long-standing behaviours. Once we saw people embracing these new solutions, we showcased the success to involve more retailers, and the response was fantastic.”
“Once we saw the community was adopting of these solutions, we focused on showcasing this success to engage more retailers in the pilot. The response was remarkable.”
The pilot paves the way to better waste management across Banyuwangi, where formal rubbish collection services are lacking. The lessons learned will guide the team as they prepare to expand the project to Bali and then to other regions in southern Indonesia.
Now, the focus is on finding further funding and building long-term partnership with local governments and businesses. The team is seeking crowdfunding and sponsorships to sustain its success.
"Every region has its own challenges, so we need to tailor solutions to fit local needs," Dr Iacovidou said. "But we’re confident that, with the right support, this model could help communities across Indonesia reduce their plastic waste."
This pilot is a key part of Indonesia’s efforts to meet its government goal to curb plastic waste leakage into the ocean by 70% by 2025. Banyuwangi, like much of Indonesia, struggles with widespread plastic pollution, making it an ideal test-bed for national change.