Center for Sustainability and Waste Management UI and Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt Discuss Circular Economy

The Center for Sustainability and Waste Management of the University of Indonesia (CSWM UI), one of the special working units under the University of Indonesia, held a meeting with the Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) on March 21, 2024. In general, this meeting discussed the circular economy with a focus on the plastic sector.

PTB is the German Metrology Institute and also the official body for German Development Cooperation. To date, PTB has two projects in Indonesia, namely a project for photovoltaics and an environmental and climate monitoring project. In the future, PTB aims to enter the circular economy sector with a focus on the plastic sector. In this regard, CSWM UI and PTB must collaborate to map out circular economy issues in Indonesia, ranging from plastic manufacturing to plastic recycling.

Prof. Dr. Ir. Mochamad Chalid, S.Si, M.Sc. Eng., as the Head of the CSWM UI Special Working Unit, stated, “With the existing concept of the circular economy not being implemented as intended, where waste materials do not return to being the same products but become secondary products (with lower recycling value), this is a shared concern, including for PTB, regarding waste management issues at present.”

This Professor from the Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials also mentioned that CSWM UI has expertise in polymer technology, presenting a joint research opportunity in plastic waste management, including converting it into recycled plastic pellets, which can later be reintroduced as usable products.

“We seek to understand the latest knowledge, trends, and initiatives regarding plastics in Indonesia, especially those related to research and innovation with CSWM UI. The expected outcomes are collaborative activities focusing on redesigning or recycling plastics,” said Jana Körner, the PTB Project Coordinator.

During the discussion, Prof. Chalid also emphasized, “Some key points of focus include public education on proper waste sorting and disposal, as well as connecting scavengers and collectors to recycling facilities. These two aspects can also be collaborative projects with CSWM UI.”

Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, ST., M.Eng., IPU., said, “I am pleased with the meeting conducted by CSWM UI and PTB. This meeting can serve as a platform for exchanging knowledge and developing ideas from both sides in redesigning or recycling plastics, thus realizing ideas and benefiting FTUI and the wider community. Hopefully, such cooperation can continue to thrive.”

The meeting was attended by a delegation from CSWM UI consisting of Prof. Dr. Ir. Mochamad Chalid, S.Si, M.Sc. Eng., Head of CSWM UI Special Working Unit; Yuli Amalia Husnil, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., Head of Research & Innovation Division of CSWM UI; and Adream Bais Junior, S.T., M.T., Head of Program Division of CSWM UI. Additionally, there were delegates from PTB including Jana Körner as the PTB Project Coordinator, Clemens Sanetra as the PTB Expert Consultant, and Sandra Imelda as the PTB-BSN Cooperation Project Consultant.

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