USAID’s Work on Ocean Plastics in Indonesia

As the fourth most populous nation in the world with a massive coastal population across 18,000 islands, it is not surprising that Indonesia is the world’s second largest contributor to ocean plastic pollution, generating as much as 1.29 million metric tons of plastic waste annually. The Government of Indonesia is currently pursuing national-level strategies and policies for solid waste management  and is implementing a national action plan to address ocean plastic pollution. However, local governments often lack the funding needed to implement city-level solid waste management.

Through the Municipal Waste Recycling Program (MWRP) and a partnership with Circulate Capital, USAID is working to develop and scale up effective urban coastal recycling initiatives. Across the country, USAID is building on the successful bank sampah, or waste bank approach, an innovative system through which families and individuals can open a savings account and earn income through waste collection and recycling activities. USAID also provides technical assistance to increase citywide recycling coverage.

Through a partnership with impact investor Circulate Capital, USAID is also supporting the first ever portfolio of investments dedicated to the ocean plastic crisis in South and Southeast Asia. In collaboration with USAID, the US International Development Finance Corporation is providing a 50% guarantee for Circulate Capital’s investment in Tridi Oasis, a Jakarta-based, female-led company specializing in recycling PET bottles into rPET flakes.