Veolia Indonesia Builds the Largest Bottle to Bottle Recycling Factory in the Country
Jakarta. France-based waste management company, Veolia Services Indonesia, is building the largest PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, bottle to bottle recycling and reprocessing factory located in Pasuruan district, East Java.
Last month the company held a "groundbreaking ceremony" for the factory attended by Representatives of Indonesia Investment Board, Representatives of Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Marine and Fisheries, Pasuruan District officials, representative from industry associations, president director of Veolia Indonesia and president director of Tirta Investama (Danone-AQUA).
Veolia is a transnational company with strong experience and expertise in plastic recycling technology. Development of this new plastic recycling factory will make the recycling process more efficient on a larger scale to collect, select and manage plastic waste. Supported by Danone-AQUA, this factory will strengthen the recycling ecosystem and circular economy and increase the level of plastic waste collection in Indonesia.
This plastic recycling factory will be built on an area of 22,000 square meters with a building area of 7,000 square meters and targeted to start operations in early 2020. Each year, this factory will be able to produce 25,000 tons of recycled PET, in accordance with the applicable food safety standards in Indonesia. This factory will employ 80 local workers and machinery will be used to quickly separate the caps and labels.
"Veolia Indonesia is committed to support the government's agenda in addressing plastic waste problem, therefore we have decided to build a PET Plastic Recycling Factory in Indonesia. To secure raw materials in our operations, we will work with plastic waste collection actors in several cities in Indonesia and expected to develop an inclusive collection model that can empower the informal sector," President Director of Veolia Indonesia, Sven Beraud-Sudreau said.
"The government is committed to improving the good investment climate, especially waste management policies that have become an urgent agenda for the government. We really need participation from private sector to provide input and consideration in developing a good waste management system," Deputy of Investment Climate and Development of Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Farah Ratnadewi Indriani said.
"The collaboration between Veolia Indonesia and Danone-AQUA is expected to strengthen the recycling ecosystem and circular economy in Indonesia as well as being a success story that in the future can invite similar investments into the country," Farah added.
One of the companies that will use the recycled products from this factory is Danone-AQUA as a continuation of the agreement between the two parties. Last year, Veolia Indonesia and Danone-AQUA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of this recycling factory. This is part of Danone-AQUA's #BijakBerplastik commitment to collect more plastic waste than it produces in 2025.
"As an Indonesian born brand, AQUA has shared goodness for more than 46 years for society and environment. In addition to providing health through its products, we also contribute to social and environmental issues, including creating a cleaner Indonesia," president director of Danone-AQUA, Corine Tap said.
"Danone-AQUA has pioneered plastic recycling in Indonesia through PEDULI program in 1993. Currently, 70% of our business is already circular using the 19-liter gallons packaging, which is reusable and recyclable. Last year, AQUA announced its plastic pledge aiming to help solve plastic waste issue via recycling, education and innovation. AQUA also has just launched the first water bottle in Indonesia made of 100 percent recycled plastic. Partnership with Veolia Indonesia will not only help to increase recycling efforts but also to make sure that our innovative 100 percent Recycled PET packaging will get sufficient supply in the future," Corine explained.
In a press release Veolia said it was proud to work with strategic partners like Danone-AQUA with strong support from Indonesia Government. Veolia intends to work and call for collaboration across industries and beyond, to achieve a sustainable, large-scale change in plastic collection and recycling in Indonesia.
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