WWF Norway CEO Karoline Andaur visited several cities in Indonesia from 23 to 28 May 2022. Cities visited include Jakarta, Bogor and Depok. This is done to ensure cooperation between his party and the three local governments in the Plastic Smart Cities (PSC) program which has been declared since last year.  

PSC is a global movement initiated by WWF to reduce plastic waste piles by 30 percent by 2025. In addition to Indonesia, the movement was also carried out in several other countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines and other countries.  

Locations visited in Jakarta include Waste Bank 68 in the Jagakarsa area, South Jakarta on Tuesday (24/5/2022). On that occasion, the Norwegian and Indonesian WWF teams discussed waste management in the region. At the same time, it also provides assistance for waste transportation vehicles to support its operations.  

"We came here to learn and see what has been done in terms of reducing plastic waste. WWF Norway is here to support the PSC program in Indonesia. We are happy to see the efforts that have been made and hopefully more groups will be involved in efforts to deal with plastic waste," said Karoline.  

WWF Indonesia CEO Aditya Bayunanda said that his party was happy to be able to contribute to the success of waste reduction through the PSC program. According to him, this is important to also put forward the concept of a green economy.  

"Our contribution is small when compared to community efforts to solve a problem for which a solution already exists. Valuable plastic waste can be used, less valuable can be used as construction materials such as paving blocks and bricks. Meanwhile, those that can't be processed at all later just enter the incinerator. We hope that what we aspire to will be carried out," he said.  

On the same occasion, PSC Manager Tri Agung said that the visit of the CEO of WWF Norway was a continuation of the PSC declaration made by the three city governments.  

"As a commitment we support these activities, several supporting activities are carried out. Such as supporting waste bank operations, TPS3R construction and others. We want to make a real contribution to reducing plastic waste. Good for its collection, its recycling and even its reduction. It's things like that that we'll support with WWF's PSC grants. Coincidentally, we currently get a three-year commitment from WWF Norway whose funds will be distributed to the cities of Depok, Bogor and Jakarta," he explained.  

Another thing that is supported by the PSC program is increasing the human resource capacity of parties who have been consensual in handling plastic waste. Some training will be conducted. In addition, of course, the improvement of facilities and infrastructure to support the success of the program.  

"Hopefully we're open to other areas. It's been three years. The way of handling waste is based on local regulations such as waste banks. In Norway, there is no waste bank. So this is an effort to support existing initiatives to make it faster."  

In addition to visiting Waste Bank 68, his party also visited the PPM School of Management in the Menteng area on Friday (27/05/2022). During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the two institutions to develop and strengthen the circular economy. The two institutions agreed to build a Center of Excellent Circular Economy.  

Meanwhile, a visit to Bogor City was carried out on Wednesday (25/05/2022). Some of the locations visited include RT Prioritas lebak Pilar and an integrated waste management site in Sukadamai Green Residence housing. In addition, a groundbreaking ceremony was also held for the construction of TPS3R Mekarwangi in Tanah Sareal District. The site is expected to manage 1,200 tons of plastic waste per year.  

Bogor Mayor Bima Arya Sugiarto said that the visit of WWF Norway CEO was the starting point of collaborative efforts between the Bogor City Government and the institution. He is also a manifestation of the readiness of the City of Bogor to run the PSC program declared in August last year.  

"The Bogor city government together with WWF will carry out integrated waste management. We work together to build TPS3R, a place to manage plastic waste and residues so that later it will have economic value. We hope that this will be an example of a green economy that will have an economic impact on local residents here. This is a collaborative trial. With the budget from the city government, assistance from WWF, support from the community here, we hope that it will become a pilot of the green economy and plastic waste management," he said.  

Then the visit to Depok City was carried out on Thursday (26/05/2022). Some of the points visited were Annisa Waste Bank, SDN bakti jaya I and Yayasan Wangi Bumi Nusantara.  

Depok City Parliament member Muhammad Suparyono said he was happy with the visit of the team from WWF Norway and Indonesia. He hopes that the collaboration between the Depok City Government and WWF can help reduce the waste problem in his area.  

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Depok Imam Budi Hartono said that a team visited WWF to his area to help unravel the waste problem. He appreciated the cooperation between the two.  

"We are very happy that WWF came here to be able to help in solving the waste problem. So that it can cooperate through waste bank friends and the Depok City Government. We are very open to being able to work together. We are sure, in fact, even if the residents are educated, communicated, to be able to sort waste and dispose of waste properly, God willing, this will also be a good solution to the existing waste problem. Hopefully, the presence of WWF will be the beginning of solving the waste problem in the city of Depok," he concluded. ***