How Astra Manages Waste: From the Office to the Community

Proper waste management is no longer a matter of choice. It has become a necessity for maintaining a clean, sustainable environment. Waste remains one of Indonesia's most pressing challenges, which is why every individual needs to understand how to manage waste correctly, starting right at home.

So, what does effective waste management actually involve? Find the full explanation in this article.

ALSO READ: Start Recycling Your Waste! A Real Solution Toward Zero Waste

Why Managing Waste Matters?

Before getting into the practical steps, it helps to understand why proper waste management is so important. Careless disposal of waste damages the environment and poses serious risks to public health.

Some of the risks that arise from poor waste management include:

• Clogging drainage systems and causing floods
• Becoming a source of disease through insects and animals
• Increasing air, soil, and water pollution
• Accelerating climate change through methane emissions from organic waste
• Pushing landfill volumes beyond capacity

Types of Waste Prior to Management

Effective waste management begins with understanding the three main types of waste:

• Organic Waste: This waste decomposes naturally, including food scraps, dry leaves, and animal waste. It is suitable for composting.
• Inorganic Waste: This waste is difficult to decompose, such as plastic, cans, glass, and cardboard. It can be recycled into new products.
• Hazardous and Toxic Waste (B3): Examples include used batteries, car batteries, electronic waste, and mosquito repellent bottles. This waste must be handled by specialized facilities, such as waste banks or recycling centers, to prevent environmental pollution.

Understanding these categories from the outset makes sorting waste at home more effective and safer.

Practical Ways to Manage Waste Starting Today

Implementing good waste management practices can be done gradually and with ease. Here is a step-by-step guide.

1. Sort Waste by Type

The first step, applicable at any scale, is separating waste by type. Waste generally falls into two categories: organic and inorganic.

Place two labeled bins to make sorting straightforward. This way, every piece of waste goes directly into the right category from the start.

2. Replace Single-Use Items with Reusable Alternatives

Making simple swaps can significantly reduce the amount of waste you generate. Switch to reusable items such as stainless steel straws, cloth shopping bags, and similar alternatives.

Investing in durable, long-lasting goods also makes a difference. Choosing clothing made from quality, eco-friendly materials that hold up over time is one practical example.

3. Embrace a Zero Waste Lifestyle

The zero-waste concept is gaining momentum as more people recognize the importance of caring for the natural world. To follow this principle, avoid items that generate waste after a single use.

For example, replace plastic bags with reusable cloth bags, use a refillable water bottle instead of single-use packaged water, or swap styrofoam packaging for a reusable lunch box. The core idea is to reduce plastic use by choosing items that can be reused.

4. Turn Organic Waste into Compost

Rather than letting organic waste decompose and produce unpleasant odors, consider turning it into compost for your garden. This is a practical way to recycle organic materials and put them to good use.

If the smell during composting concerns you, donate your organic waste to a plant nursery or to someone who enjoys gardening. Either way, you still play a meaningful role in organic waste management.

5. Recycle Inorganic Waste

Recycle. Under this approach, old items can be repurposed for new uses. Glass bottles, for instance, can be reused to store household items or serve as decorative pieces.

Before recycling, check that the inorganic item carries a recycling symbol to confirm it is safe for reuse.

6. Contribute Recyclables to a Recycling Center

In addition to sorting and recycling at home, you can bring inorganic waste with resale value, such as plastic bottles, cans, and paper, to your nearest recycling center. This reduces waste accumulation and may provide additional economic benefits for your household.

7. Maintain Cleanliness and Consistency in Waste Disposal

Dispose of waste regularly and avoid letting it accumulate at home. Keeping your trash bins clean each day prevents odors and reduces the risk of disease.

How Astra Manages Waste Across Industry and Community

Here are some of the strategic steps Astra has taken to manage waste at scale.

1. Strategic Waste Management Collaboration

PT Energia Prima Nusantara, together with Sumitomo Corporation and Kanadevia Corporation, established the joint venture PT Jabar Environmental Solutions (JES). JES will manage the Regional Final Waste Processing Facility (TPPAS) Legok Nangka in Bandung, West Java. The facility will process 2,000 tonnes of waste per day, generate 40 MW of electricity, and is targeted to begin operations in 2029.

2. Recycling Centers

To meet its solid waste recycling and recovery targets, PT Astra International Tbk has established Recycling Centers as dedicated hubs for waste collection and processing. This initiative reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills and raises public awareness about the importance of recycling.

These centers are integrated with the Link & Match Program, which connects Astra Group companies with Astra-mentored Waste Banks to build a structured and sustainable waste management system.

3. #AKSI: Ayo Kurangi Sampah Indonesia

As part of its implementation of SDG Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production, FIFGROUP launched the #AKSI: Ayo Kurangi Sampah Indonesia. The campaign aims to raise awareness among employees and the wider community about waste management through the principles of a circular economy.

Key programs under this campaign include the #AKSI commitment pledge, restrictions on single-use plastic water bottles, partnerships with waste banks, beach clean-up activities, and maggot cultivation. The campaign has been implemented across the FIFGROUP Head Office and all branch offices, engaging employees at every level. As a result, the initiative successfully reduced total waste generation by 19.4%.

ALSO READ: Understanding the Circular Economy and Industrial Waste Reduction

Master Waste Management from the Smallest Scale for a Sustainable Planet

Managing waste does not have to be difficult. Starting with small, consistent steps, such as sorting, reducing, and reusing, already makes a meaningful contribution to a better environment for the future.

To learn more about PT Astra International Tbk's strategy and commitment to environmental management, including waste management, visit the Astra Sustainability Report.