Sharing Experiences and Knowledge for Preparing Local Initiatives to Improve Circularity and Municipal Solid Waste Management in Padang City

Workshop on Sharing Experiences and Knowledge for Preparing Local Initiatives to Improve Circularity and Municipal Solid Waste Management in Padang City
Padang City has developed an action plan for Integrated Waste Management (2023-2030) with the technical support of the IGES Centre Collaborating with UNEP on Environmental Technologies (IGES-CCET). The plan was signed and launched at the 5th Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Green Cities Mayor Council (GCMC) in October 2022. Now that the planning document is complete, it is time to move to the implementation phase. Pilot projects can serve as catalysts for transformation when their benefits and outcomes are effectively shared and communicated, and the resulting innovations align with future policy priorities at the city level. The science-policy dialogue and consensus-building process among stakeholders is essential for co-design and co-implementation. It will also explore synergies with other programs by stakeholders at the local, provincial, and national levels.

Thus, a multi-stakeholder workshop was organized on 8 January 2025, aiming to create a space for the local stakeholders to meet and achieve the following aspects: (a) Assisting policymakers at the city level in translating their action plans into implementation programs, including through pilot projects and scaling them up at the city level; (b) Sharing tools and knowledge needed to translate local plans into practical actions; (c) Providing a platform for sharing experiences and mutual learning across cities and key stakeholders on Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). The event was held in a hybrid format, allowing the audience to attend either online via Zoom or offline at the venue. A total of 111 participants attended offline, while 169 participants joined online.

Inaugural Session: The inaugural session began with an opening address by the newly appointed Mayor of Padang City, the Director of the Centre for Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Sub Regional Cooperation (CIMT), and the President of the University Andalas.

Keynote Sessions: The Keynote Sessions provided updates on new policies and programs from the new administrative government of Indonesia, delivered by the Ministries of Environment (MOE) and Public Works (MOPW). A representative from MOE discussed the national policy on applying a circular economy approach for waste management towards achieving zero waste and zero emissions by 2050. In the meantime, MOPW shared the national government program supporting initiatives on municipal solid waste as alternative fuel (Refuse Derived Fuel - RDF) and the associated challenges. Both speakers emphasized the national government's clear target to avoid opening new dumping sites in Indonesia by 2045, planning to use existing facilities beyond this year for residue only.

First Session: The first session focused on addressing circularity issues, particularly for high-value inorganic (plastic) and organic waste. This session provided opportunities to share the nationwide program initiated by state-owned pawn shops and their collaboration with waste banks across many cities in Indonesia. Presenters also shared best practices in waste transactions and collection systems supported by digital technology (apps) from Bali Province. The third speaker, representing the local plastic recycling industry, discussed their experiences and challenges in the supply chain of plastic waste collection in Padang. The final speaker shared experiences in handling organic waste, mainly garden waste, as an alternative fuel for the cement industry.

Second Session: The second session concentrated on creating an enabling environment for the preparation and implementation of green infrastructure at the city level. Discussions covered potential funding from state-owned enterprises under the Ministry of Finance, evaluations of city readiness based on the integrated solid waste management program funded by the World Bank, and the readiness of local stakeholders like the cement industry and power plants in Padang City to implement the RDF.

Final Session: The final session began with experiences shared on encouraging community involvement in waste management in Bali, and an assessment of existing RDF facilities in other Indonesian cities, serving as references for local initiatives in Padang. The workshop provided a platform for discussions, fostering mutual understanding and knowledge sharing among key stakeholders on municipal solid waste management in Padang City. The discussions during the Q&A sessions significantly contributed to consensus-building among stakeholders, promoting coordinated efforts to achieve zero waste and zero emissions by 2050.