On March 21, 2024, the Center for Sustainability and Waste Management at Universitas Indonesia (CSWM UI), a specialized unit under Universitas Indonesia, held a meeting with the Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). The meeting focused on the circular economy, specifically within the plastic sector. PTB, recognized as the German Metrology Institute and a formal body of the German Development Cooperation, has been involved in two projects in Indonesia, targeting photovoltaics and environmental and climate monitoring. They aim to venture into the circular economy realm, concentrating on the plastic sector. This collaboration between CSWM UI and PTB will map out Indonesia’s circular economy issues, spanning from plastic manufacturing to recycling.

Prof. Dr. Ir. Mochamad Chalid, S.Si, M.Sc. Eng., the head of CSWM UI, highlighted the issue “With the current implementation of the circular economy not aligning with its intended concept—where waste isn’t recycled back into the same item but becomes a secondary product of lower recycling value—there is shared concern, including from PTB, about the current waste management issues.” Jana Körner, PTB Project Coordinator, expressed a desire to understand the latest knowledge, trends, and initiatives regarding plastics in Indonesia, specifically related to research and innovation with CSWM UI. The anticipated outcome is collaborative activities focusing on plastic redesign or recycling.