JAKARTA, February 12, 2026 — The Center for Sustainability and Waste Management Universitas Indonesia (CSWM UI) took a prominent role in the NATURE 2026 conference, where its leadership emphasized a radical shift in how Indonesia must value its natural resources. Speaking during the second session, titled “Transforming Nature into Sustainable Economic Value,” Rohib, Head of Compliance and Sustainability Support at CSWM UI, outlined a vision where the circular economy serves as the primary mechanism for preserving biodiversity and ensuring long-term resource security.

The core of the presentation centered on the necessity of moving beyond traditional consumption patterns that threaten to deplete current resource stocks. Rohib argued that a circular economy is the essential key to maintaining the integrity of Indonesia’s diverse natural wealth, ensuring that the needs of the present do not compromise the survival of the future. By closing the loop on resource cycles, industries can minimize extraction and protect the ecosystems that provide the very foundation for all economic activity.

A central highlight of the address was the philosophy of viewing environmental stewardship through the lens of capital investment. Rohib challenged the audience to reconsider environmental protection not as a cost or a burden, but as a high-yield investment, noting that when society commits to nurturing and caring for nature, the environment provides a substantial return. This perspective suggests that while the benefits of conservation may require patience, the long-term results will manifest as increased economic resilience and the continued availability of vital resources for generations to come.

Beyond the speaking engagement, NATURE 2026 also served as the backdrop for a significant institutional milestone as CSWM UI officially signed a long-term partnership agreement to serve as a specialized research center. In this capacity, CSWM UI will provide critical academic and technical support for data-driven media initiatives, ensuring that public discourse on sustainability and waste management is grounded in rigorous scientific evidence. This partnership reinforces the center’s role as a bridge between complex research and public awareness, empowering media outlets to deliver accurate, impactful narratives that drive systemic change.

JAKARTA, 10 February 2026 —The Center for Sustainability and Waste Management Universitas Indonesia (CSWM UI) stood as a key participant during the official launch of the PS-RISE program on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Hosted at Bank Sampah Induk Satu Hati in West Jakarta, the event introduced a strategic roadmap by the Indonesian Plastic Recycling Association (ADUPI) for Polystyrene Recycling Innovation and Sustainable Economics. This initiative seeks to modernize waste banks by integrating them directly into the national recycling industry supply chain.

The program addresses the persistent challenges of current waste bank models, which are often limited by small collection volumes and a general lack of investment attractiveness. To overcome these hurdles, PS-RISE focuses on transforming these facilities into professional collection hubs through business management up-skilling and the adoption of advanced automation technology, including AI sorting machines, press machines, and conveyor belts. Complete transparency across this new ecosystem is maintained through digital implementation using the ADUPI POS and ADUPI Trace platforms.

Financial viability for this industrial shift is secured through the integration of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees, providing waste banks with premium off-taking prices and the economic certainty required for long-term growth. Beyond economics, the launch served as a platform to correct common misconceptions about Polystyrene (PS), noting that BPOM RI has confirmed styrene migration levels remain safely below the 60 ppm threshold. Scientific assessments further show that producing PS utilizes 80-88% less energy than paper-based alternatives and provides essential insulation for food quality at temperatures as low as -40°C. With a mechanical density of 1.04 g/cm³ compared to 0.9 g/cm³ for other plastics, PS remains a durable and highly functional material for both medical and food applications.

CSWM UI advocates for this shift from mere awareness to systemic integration, supporting pilot collection systems that engage waste banks and local governments directly. Starting from a baseline recycling rate of 16.3% in 2025, the program targets an increase to 20% by 2028 through strengthened collection networks and expanded public participation. CSWM UI remains committed to this collaborative effort, ensuring that polystyrene is managed through a robust circular economy framework that benefits both the environment and the national economy.

Bekasi, 27 January 2026 — In a strategic move to cultivate the next generation of environmental leaders, 20 scholars from the Eco Pioneer program conducted an immersive industrial visit to the Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) Indonesia plant in Cibitung, Bekasi, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The Eco Pioneer program, a flagship sustainable leadership scholarship initiated by the Center for Sustainability and Waste Management at the University of Indonesia (CSWM UI), is specifically designed to empower students to become catalysts for change. By bridging the gap between academic theory and industrial reality, CSWM UI serves as a strategic link that provides students with direct access to world-class sustainability practices.

The visit offered participants an in-depth understanding of the real-world implementation of circular economy systems on a massive industrial scale. Beyond observing the operational processes firsthand, the activity served as a critical reflective forum for students to analyze the complex challenges of plastic management in Indonesia. The dialogue focused on the essential integration between community involvement, private sector responsibility, and the shaping of effective government policy.

The educational session began with a presentation by I Komang Agus Arisudana, Sustainability Commercial at CCEP Indonesia, who focused on the critical evolution of “green jobs.” He explained that decent employment opportunities contributing to environmental consearvation and restoration are the fundamental pillars of a sustainable future economy. Komang challenged the students to begin building the necessary initiatives and skills to champion these roles as they transition into the workforce.

The narrative of sustainability was further enriched by a presentation from Mahija Parahita Nusantara, a non-profit foundation established in 2020 by CCEP Indonesia and Dynapack Asia. The foundation detailed its dedication to supporting the infrastructure of waste collector communities through an ethical and responsible PET plastic recycling ecosystem. Beryl Masdiary, Head of Communications & Partnership at Mahija, emphasized the importance of improving the welfare, health, and education of those they call “recycling heroes,” urging the younger generation to collaborate on sustainable solutions that respect both the planet and the people who protect it.

As a direct follow-up to this industrial experience, the Eco Pioneer students will now be guided through a transition phase where they transform their social waste management projects into viable, sustainable business models. The practical knowledge gained from CCEP Indonesia and Mahija Parahita Nusantara will serve as a primary reference as students develop and execute waste management action plans within the University of Indonesia area. CSWM UI remains committed to assisting these participants, ensuring that their emerging initiatives provide real solutions for the academic environment while meeting rigorous industry standards and maintaining the resilience needed to become successful green business units in the future.