Today [26 September], Prevented Ocean Plastic™ Southeast Asia announces the opening of its new recycled plastic aggregation centre in Samarinda, in the Indonesian province of East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. The centre is opening in partnership with consumer goods company Danone, through its Indonesian bottled water brand AQUA, and is part of the wider efforts of the internationally recognised Prevented Ocean Plastic™ programme. AQUA funded the centre’s construction and will be a major customer for the recycled plastic processed there.
According to the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN) in 2022, the total waste accumulation in East Kalimantan is over 791,000 tons, with plastic making up 19.5%. The new centre, which is the first of its scale in the province, will provide efficient waste management infrastructure to address growing volumes of plastic waste in the region. It will create reliable income opportunities with dignified working conditions and support the supply of certified and traceable premium quality recycled plastic to global markets.
By facilitating the collection and recycling of discarded plastic, the centre will help to prevent waste plastic reaching these waterways, where it can pollute and damage delicate ecosystems. It will also provide efficient waste management infrastructure to address growing volumes of plastic waste in the region, create reliable income opportunities with dignified working conditions and support the supply of certified and traceable premium quality recycled plastic to global markets.
It is expected to process 500 tonnes of plastic waste per month and provide 90 direct jobs to local people.
Vera Galuh Sugijanto, vice president general secretary of Danone Indonesia, said: “The inauguration of the Aggregation Center in Samarinda, a collaboration between AQUA and Prevented Ocean Plastic Southeast Asia, marks one of AQUA’s real steps in realizing its sustainable commitment and creating a positive impact on the environment through the #BijakBerplastik movement. This collaboration is expected to assist the Indonesian government with waste problems by developing circular economic infrastructure outside Java. Thus, the company can maximize its contributions to the waste reduction roadmap. In addition to being a form of the company’s commitment to implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation, this collective work aligns with the company’s sustainability strategy as stated in the Danone Impact Journey.”
Sahid Arifin, the site manager at the Samarinda centre, said: “Having an aggregation centre in Samarinda greatly supports the people of East Kalimantan. Covering Samarinda and its surrounding areas, this centre will be very good for reducing plastic waste in the region, and very helpful for local people who are searching for jobs. Thank you to Prevented Ocean Plastic™ for supporting our region.”
The region served by the new centre is home to crucial waterways which are under threat from pollution, including the Mahakam River. It is the second longest river in Indonesia and functions as a source for drinking water and as a means of transportation. The river is home to the critically endangered Mahakam River Dolphin, of which there are less than 90 estimated to remain[1]. The centre is also in close proximity to the Mahakam Delta, which feeds directly into the ocean and is known for its mangrove forests, which are under threat. By facilitating the collection and recycling of discarded plastic, the centre will help to prevent waste plastic reaching these waterways, where it can pollute and damage delicate ecosystems.
This is the ninth centre opened by Prevented Ocean Plastic™ since the launch of its mission to open 25 collection centres on coastlines at-risk of plastic pollution worldwide by 2025. To open these centres, Prevented Ocean Plastic™ works in partnership with progressive organisations, including Circulate Capital and United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to develop efficient plastic collection infrastructure built with traceability systems to fit upcoming extended producer responsibility requirements. Each centre is underpinned by the Prevented Ocean Plastic™ Standards, the most comprehensive set of standards in the industry which elevate responsible sourcing and promote safe and dignified working conditions. The standards were developed in accordance with the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) base code and are informed by the Code of Good Practice developed by ISEAL, as well as Bantam Materials UK Ltd.’s Good Manufacturing Practices and best-in-class supply chain processes.
Raffi Schieir, director of Prevented Ocean Plastic™, said: “At Prevented Ocean Plastic™, we are committed to championing better choices in the plastic recycling supply chain. This partnership with Danone is a step change in the level of engagement we are getting from the industry, proving our repeatable and scalable vertical value model. We hope consumers, government, business and thought leaders can continue to support and invest in this meaningful journey toward a just transition for plastic collectors in at-risk coastal regions.“
