Tokyo, Sep-Oct 2024 – Dr. Mas Ayu Elita Hafizah, Coordinator of Environmental & Sustainability Affairs at Responsible Care Indonesia (RCI), represented RCI at the Workshop Program for the Promotion of Plastic Resource Circulation in Asia in Tokyo, Japan, from September 30 to October 4, 2024.
As globalization drives trade and investment in Asia, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) of Japan has been supporting Development Assistance Committee (DAC) listed countries through initiatives that share Japan’s economic systems, technologies, and expertise. In Y2024, METI entrusted the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS) to implement training programs focused on economic development.
With the ongoing negotiations for a global treaty on plastic pollution, balancing environmental sustainability with industrial growth is crucial. Japan’s experience in plastic waste management—illustrated in its flowchart of plastic products, plastic waste, and resource recovery—offers valuable insights. To support this, AOTS conducted program featuring lectures and site visits, in collaboration with the Plastic Waste Management Institute (PWMI) and the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA).
Representing RCI, Dr. Mas Ayu delivered a presentation on Indonesia’s progress in circular economy and sustainability initiatives within the industrial sector. The session also featured a lecture by METI on Trends of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for a Legally Binding Treaty on Plastic Pollution and Responses. Japan emphasized the need for advanced recycling and reuse technologies in Asia, integrating circular economy concepts and sustainability principles across the entire life cycle of plastics.
Japan actively supports this effort by aligning policies with global environmental goals and promoting resource recovery and sustainable industrial practices. As plastics remain essential in sectors such as packaging, electronics, transportation, and construction, overly strict production restrictions could impact businesses. Key takeaways from this workshop will serve as discussion material for further efforts to enhance plastic resource circulation and waste management in Indonesia.