Danone Partners with Prevented Ocean Plastic™ to Open New Plastic Recycling Centre in Indonesia

The facility, funded by AQUA, is the first of its scale in East Kalimantan and is part of the broader Prevented Ocean Plastic™ initiative, which seeks to open 25 collection centres worldwide by 2025. The centre will play a vital role in collecting and recycling plastic waste, preventing it from reaching the critical waterways of the Mahakam River and the Mahakam Delta, which are home to fragile ecosystems and endangered species, such as the Mahakam River Dolphin.

Sustainable Commitments and Circular Economy Goals

Vera Galuh Sugijanto, Vice President General Secretary of Danone Indonesia, highlighted that the centre's opening is part of the company’s #BijakBerplastik movement, reflecting their commitment to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation. The initiative also aligns with Danone’s sustainability strategy to reduce waste and contribute to a circular economy, particularly in regions outside Java, by developing essential infrastructure.

The centre will serve as a model for future waste management systems and is expected to provide certified and traceable premium-quality recycled plastic to global markets, thus supporting the country’s waste reduction roadmap.

Supporting Local Communities and Environmental Protection

Sahid Arifin, the site manager at the Samarinda centre, underscored the importance of the project, stating that it not only helps reduce plastic waste in the region but also creates job opportunities for local communities. The project is expected to have a positive environmental impact by protecting local waterways and reducing plastic pollution in the area.

Global Initiative to Combat Ocean Plastic Pollution

This is the ninth recycling centre opened by Prevented Ocean Plastic™ as part of its mission to combat ocean plastic pollution globally. The project, which is supported by organisations like Circulate Capital and USAID, operates under rigorous ethical and traceability standards, ensuring safe and dignified working conditions.

Raffi Schieir, Director of Prevented Ocean Plastic™, emphasized the importance of partnerships like the one with Danone, which help scale plastic recycling efforts in coastal regions at risk of pollution.

This collaboration sets a precedent for future initiatives aimed at addressing plastic waste, benefiting both the environment and local communities.