Government Encourages Collaboration in Technology-Based Waste Processing

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) and the Ministry of Environment (KLH) are encouraging collaboration between the central government, local governments, and the private sector in technology-based waste processing. “Waste management needs to be driven by a more efficient and sustainable approach, including through private sector involvement so that the systems built have economic value and can operate independently,” said Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday. The Deputy Minister of Environment (Wamen LH) Diaz Faisal Malik Hendropriyono further emphasised the urgency of accelerating waste handling, particularly in urban areas facing high waste volumes and limited processing capacity. “Waste accumulation is very large, while processing is still very small. This is what we need to accelerate, including by strengthening source separation to reduce the burden downstream,” said Diaz Hendropriyono. Based on joint mapping by KLH and local governments, hundreds of waste collection points (TPS) have been identified with potential for development, although most still require capacity and functional improvements. In addition, the meeting highlighted the importance of optimising the waste management chain from upstream to downstream, including source-level separation and strengthening the recycling ecosystem. This approach is expected to reduce the processing burden at main facilities and increase the economic value of the generated waste. Various pilot project initiatives are also underway, including organic waste management through partnerships with businesses and communities, which have potential for wider replication. In line with the directives of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the government is accelerating the development and testing of micro-scale waste processing technologies. This was conveyed in a meeting on accelerating national waste handling held at the State Palace in early February. As a forward step, Kemdiktisaintek will continue to strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration and encourage university involvement in producing innovations and concrete solutions in waste management.