Mojokerto's Waste Management Model Showcased in Japan
After repeatedly receiving invitations from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Mojokerto Mayor Ika Puspitasari finally accepted this year. In Japan, Ning Ita — as she is commonly known — shared her experience of how Mojokerto manages its waste. It goes beyond mere clean-up operations, reaching into the public consciousness. Waste is a shared responsibility, reinforcing the culture of gotong royong (communal cooperation) as the foundation of environmental cleanliness, and creating a circular economy so that waste holds economic value.
During her visit from 26 to 30 January 2026, Ning Ita also studied how Japan’s disciplined waste sorting operates effectively, supported by strong and consistent regulation. Japanese communities are accustomed to sorting waste from the household level, facilitating the recycling process and encouraging the growth of circular economy-based processing industries. The Japanese government also partners with private companies to ensure the waste management chain operates from upstream to downstream.
“We deepened our understanding of regulatory aspects, governance, and multi-stakeholder collaboration in waste reduction and management from the source,” said Ning Ita. She noted that Indonesia already has regulations in place. However, according to her, the main challenge lies in the consistency of implementation and public discipline. From these lessons, the Mojokerto municipal government concluded that the key to success lies not only in rules, but in culture and policy continuity.
Over the past three years, Mojokerto has served as a pilot project receiving support from a Japanese consortium in waste management. The results have been significant. Waste generation has been reduced by more than 40 per cent, with a recovery rate reaching 42 per cent. This achievement reflects a shift from simply disposing of waste at final disposal sites towards management based on reduce, reuse and recycle (3R) principles.
A number of indicators show positive trends. Waste generation restriction stands at 13.98 per cent, reuse at 25.3 per cent, and recycling reaches 60.7 per cent. The strengthening of 3R waste collection points, waste banks, composters and black soldier fly larvae cultivation has become the backbone of residue reduction. The government has also implemented restrictions on single-use plastics and mandatory waste sorting at source.
The Mojokerto municipal government plans to strengthen the sustainability of its circular economy with the establishment of a company to process residual waste into refuse-derived fuel (RDF). This scheme is expected to ensure that non-recyclable waste retains functional value.
Attention is also directed at clearing waste from rivers. Mojokerto, through which seven rivers flow, faces the challenge of waste carried downstream from upstream areas. Continued cooperation is therefore being explored for river waste cleaning machinery and the strengthening of cross-regional governance.