News | Aug 25, 2022 | 08:42
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed a nice (European) summer break and recharged your batteries to start the second half of the year! The holidays are still ahead, but July has given me fresh energy and enthusiasm for work! . I am no longer the deputy mission manager, but I am also in charge of economic affairs.
In its new position, it was an honor to participate in a mission from the Netherlands focused on exploring concrete possibilities for cooperation between the Netherlands and Indonesia in the areas of waste management and circular economy.
The intention to develop such cooperation was expressed in a memorandum of understanding signed by the Dutch and Indonesian ministers during the economic and trade mission accompanying the King and Queen to Indonesia in March 2020. .
The delegation consisted of representatives from the Dutch CSR (“MVO”), the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) and Dutch companies. Visiting Bali, Ambon and Surabaya, I wanted to show that Holland has value in waste management that it can offer at every stage of his chain. They range from equipment for collecting waste to things like garbage trucks and garbage traps that can be used to collect waste. On the river, from the equipment used to sort different types of waste, to the knowledge and experience in setting up recycling facilities. And then there are “starting the pipe” solutions that limit (plastic) waste production, such as refillable containers in hotel bathrooms and bulk stores where you can refill your own containers with cereals, cooking oils, legumes, and more.
You don’t have to spend a lot of time in Indonesia to understand that waste, especially plastic waste, is a real problem. The amount of waste produced can no longer be absorbed by existing landfills, and vast amounts of waste end up in rivers, roadsides and nature. Many materials are treated as waste, which can be the basis for new products. Organic waste can be turned into compost and inorganic plastics can be recycled into construction materials and more.
Talks with local authorities and local organizations were encouraging. We hope to link this to concrete forms of cooperation as soon as possible.
Although serious in nature, I thoroughly enjoyed the mission.I visited various parts of Indonesia, saw the realities of the field (visited landfills, waste banks, sorting centers), and related networks. and become more aware of not only the various (technical) factors that need to be taken into account, but also the various stakeholders that need to work together to make this effort successful. .
We will be posting on our social media channels about how this collaboration evolves. happy reading!
Aldi Stoios Blaken
