Prevented Ocean Plastic has partnered with Danone to open the first major plastic collection center on the island of Borneo. This collaboration will build, clean, continue the progress of the 25 by 2025 initiative, and promote a better plastic choice.
The recycled plastic aggregation center is in Samarinda, in the Indonesian province of East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. The centre is opening in partnership with consumer goods company Danone, through its Indonesian bottled water brand AQUA. AQUA funded the center’s construction and will be a major customer for the recycled plastic processed there.
According to the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN) in 2022, the total waste accumulation in East Kalimantan is over 791,000 tons, with plastic making up 19.5%. The new center, which is the first of its scale in the province, will provide efficient waste management infrastructure to address growing volumes of plastic waste in the region. It will create reliable income opportunities with dignified working conditions and support the supply of certified and traceable premium quality recycled plastic to global markets.
By facilitating the collection and recycling of discarded plastic, the center will help to prevent waste plastic from reaching these waterways, where it can pollute and damage delicate ecosystems. It will also provide efficient waste management infrastructure to address growing volumes of plastic waste in the region, create reliable income opportunities with dignified working conditions, and support the supply of certified and traceable premium quality recycled plastic to global markets. It is expected to process 500 tonnes of plastic waste per month and provide 90 direct jobs to local people.
“The inauguration of the Aggregation Center in Samarinda, a collaboration between AQUA and Prevented Ocean Plastic Southeast Asia, marks one of AQUA’s real steps in realizing its sustainable commitment and creating a positive impact on the environment through the #BijakBerplastik movement. This collaboration is expected to assist the Indonesian government with waste problems by developing circular economic infrastructure outside Java. Thus, the company can maximize its contributions to the waste reduction roadmap. In addition to being a form of the company’s commitment to implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation, this collective work aligns with the company’s sustainability strategy as stated in the Danone Impact Journey.”
Vera Galuh Sugijanto, Vice President, General Secretary, Danone Indonesia
This is the ninth center opened by Prevented Ocean Plastic since the launch of its mission to open 25 collection centers on coastlines at risk of plastic pollution worldwide by 2025. To open these centers, Prevented Ocean Plastic works in partnership with progressive organizations, including Circulate Capital and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to develop efficient plastic collection infrastructure built with traceability systems to fit upcoming extended producer responsibility requirements. Each center is underpinned by the Prevented Ocean Plastic Standards, the most comprehensive set of standards in the industry that elevate responsible sourcing and promote safe and dignified working conditions. The standards were developed under the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) base code and are informed by the Code of Good Practice developed by ISEAL, as well as Bantam Materials UK Ltd.’s Good Manufacturing Practices and best-in-class supply chain processes.
“At Prevented Ocean Plastic, we are committed to championing better choices in the plastic recycling supply chain. This partnership with Danone is a step change in the level of engagement we are getting from the industry, proving our repeatable and scalable vertical value model. We hope consumers, government, business and thought leaders can continue to support and invest inthis meaningful journey toward a just transition for plastic collectors in at-risk coastal regions.“
Raffi Schieir, Director, Prevented Ocean Plastic