Radically Reducing Plastic Pollution in Indonesia: A Multistakeholder Action Plan National Plastic Action Partnership

The report presents a strategic framework to combat Indonesia's growing plastic pollution crisis and achieve near-zero plastic pollution by 2040. With 620,000 tonnes of plastic waste leaking into waterways annually as of 2017, the report highlights how mismanaged waste threatens Indonesia’s marine biodiversity, public health, and key industries such as fisheries and tourism. Despite generating 6.8 million tonnes of plastic waste per year, with only 39% formally collected, waste mismanagement continues to exacerbate the environmental crisis through open burning, illegal dumping, and insufficient recycling efforts.

Plastic pollution in Indonesia stems from systemic challenges, including an underdeveloped waste management infrastructure, problematic plastic uses, and the low after-use value of many plastics. Flexible plastics, often made from multi-layered materials, dominate the 76% of plastic waste that leaks into the environment, while rigid plastics, such as bottles, have higher recycling potential but represent a smaller share. Compounded by population and economic growth, waste generation is projected to reach 8.7 million tonnes annually by 2025, further increasing leakage into natural ecosystems.

The report underscores a System Change Scenario (SCS) as a comprehensive strategy to reduce marine plastic leakage by 70% by 2025 and to transition Indonesia to a circular economy by 2040. The plan emphasizes reducing avoidable plastic use, redesigning products for recyclability, doubling waste collection rates, expanding recycling capacity, and improving waste disposal infrastructure. These actions require a total capital investment of $5.1 billion and an operational budget of $1.1 billion annually by 2025.

To ensure success, the strategy also calls for geographically tailored solutions. Indonesia’s diverse regions exhibit varying levels of waste management capabilities, with rural and remote areas accounting for 72% of mismanaged waste. Urban areas like Jakarta show higher collection rates but require enhanced integration of informal waste sectors, which play a crucial role in recycling efforts.

Beyond environmental benefits, the proposed interventions aim to advance public health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 27%, create 150,000 jobs, and improve social equity, particularly for marginalized communities and women. The implementation of these measures is expected to prevent an additional 16 million tonnes of plastic waste from entering waterways by 2040, positioning Indonesia as a global leader in addressing plastic pollution.

In conclusion, the NPAP report outlines a transformative roadmap that integrates policy reforms, industry leadership, community engagement, and financial investments to address Indonesia's plastic pollution crisis.