The Ministry of Environment and Forestry collaborates with the Indonesia Environment Fund to develop a loan program supporting social entrepreneurs and waste management initiatives.
At the 2024 National Waste Awareness Day press conference held on 6 February 2024, the director general of waste, hazardous waste, and hazardous substances management at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Rosa Vivien Ratnawati, announced the preparation of a loan scheme in partnership with the Indonesia Environment Fund (BPDLH) to assist social entrepreneurs involved in waste management.
The loan scheme aims to support social entrepreneurs, waste bank management, and community-based waste management initiatives, aligning with the target set in Presidential Regulation Number 97 of 2017 to reduce waste by 30% and manage 70% of total waste generated by 2025.
Ratnawati emphasized that the ministry and BPDLH are working on the loan assistance program and the screening mechanism to identify eligible recipients who can utilize the loan to ensure the sustainability of their waste management businesses.
The initiative particularly targets social entrepreneurs, who play a crucial role in addressing social and environmental challenges, including waste management, by combining profit-making with social and environmental impact.
In Indonesia, the concept of waste banks, resembling conventional financial institutions, has gained popularity. Waste banks allow individuals to deposit recyclable waste and even borrow money against future waste deposits, fostering a culture of waste reduction and recycling.
As of June 2023, Indonesia has recorded 25,540 waste banks, according to data from the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN), indicating a significant presence of community-driven waste management initiatives across the country.
Source: Antara News
