Indonesia (ID)
Bali and beyond — Indonesia is a vast tropical archipelago of 17,000+ islands offering affordable living, extraordinary cultural diversity, world-class nature, and a rapidly growing digital economy that attracts digital nomads, retirees, and professionals from around the globe.
Recycling & Waste in Indonesia
Bin system, bottle deposits, special disposal, and common mistakes.
Indonesia is the world's second-largest ocean plastic polluter, and waste management is a significant national challenge. The government's National Waste Management Policy (PERMEN LHK No. 75/2019) targets 30% reduction in plastic waste by 2029. Most Indonesian cities lack systematic kerbside recycling — waste is collected as mixed stream. However, innovative solutions exist: Bank Sampah (Waste Banks) in communities exchange sorted recyclables for cash. Jakarta has introduced three-bin pilots in some areas. Bali imposed a single-use plastic ban in 2019 (Pergub Bali No. 97/2018) covering bags, styrofoam, and straws. Expats should actively participate in bank sampah systems and minimise single-use plastic.
The Bin System
Organic Waste Bin
GreenTempat Sampah Organik
- ✓Food scraps and kitchen waste
- ✓Vegetable and fruit peels
- ✓Cooked food leftovers
- ✓Coffee grounds and tea bags
- ✓Leaves and garden waste
- ✓Biodegradable packaging (paper, leaves)
- ✗Plastic packaging
- ✗Metal or glass
- ✗Chemicals or batteries
Non-Organic / Dry Waste Bin
Yellow or OrangeTempat Sampah Anorganik
- ✓Plastic bottles (PET, HDPE)
- ✓Paper and cardboard (clean, dry)
- ✓Metal cans and aluminium
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bags and packaging (where collected)
- ✓Tetrapak cartons
- ✗Food-contaminated packaging
- ✗Soiled nappies
- ✗Medical waste
- ✗Electronic waste (e-waste)
Hazardous Waste (B3) Bin
RedTempat Sampah B3 (Bahan Berbahaya dan Beracun)
- ✓Batteries (AA, AAA, 9V, car battery)
- ✓Fluorescent light bulbs
- ✓Medication (expired or unused)
- ✓Aerosol cans
- ✓Paint and solvents
- ✓Pesticide containers
- ✓Electronic devices and components
- ✗Regular household waste
- ✗Food waste
- ✗Paper or cardboard
Bank Sampah (Waste Bank) — Bottle Deposit System
Bank Sampah is an innovative Indonesian waste management system where communities collect and sort recyclable materials, then "deposit" them at the bank in exchange for cash, goods, or savings credit. Over 12,000 Bank Sampah operate across Indonesia. A community-led solution to the absence of formal recycling infrastructure.
Rates vary by material: Plastic PET bottles: Rp200–500/kg. Cardboard: Rp500–1,000/kg. Aluminium cans: Rp8,000–12,000/kg. Newspaper: Rp500–800/kg. Glass: Rp200–400/kg. Iron/steel scrap: Rp2,000–4,000/kg.
Find your nearest Bank Sampah via Aplikasi Bank Sampah (banksampah.id) or ask your RT/RW (neighbourhood leader). Sort waste by category at home. Bring sorted materials to Bank Sampah collection point on their operating days (typically weekly). Record your deposit in your Bank Sampah passbook (buku tabungan). Withdraw cash credit or exchange for products.
Special Disposal
Samsung Service Centres: drop-off for Samsung products. Sony Service Centres. Acer / Lenovo service centres for laptops. Enviro365 Indonesia: e-waste collection. Government B3 collection events (Pekan Pengelolaan Sampah) organised by Dinas LHK.
E-waste drop-off points are limited — check brand service centre websites for nearest location. GoJek GoSend can pick up and deliver to collection points. Valuable e-waste (copper cables, gold components) may be purchased by local scrap dealers (tukang loak).
Bank Sampah programmes increasingly collect used cooking oil. Pertamina has a used cooking oil to biodiesel programme (MyPertamina). Some Indomaret/Alfamart points.
Never pour used cooking oil down the drain — causes serious plumbing and environmental damage. Seal in plastic bottles before handing to waste collectors or Bank Sampah.
Sealed in puncture-proof container, give to pemulung (waste sorter) for hospital medical waste stream, or bring to puskesmas (community health centre) for proper disposal. BPOM has guidance on safe medication disposal.
Do NOT flush medications. Do NOT mix syringes with general household waste. Contact nearest puskesmas for guidance on sharps disposal.
Government B3 hazardous waste collection points (TPST B3) at DLH (Dinas Lingkungan Hidup — Environment Agency) of your municipality. Jakarta: DLH DKI Jakarta at Pulogadung.
Pesticide containers, paint cans, and solvent bottles must be completely emptied and sealed before disposal. Industrial B3 waste requires licensed disposal company (transporter B3 berizin).
Returned to Aqua/Le Minerale delivery service for refund deposit. Part of circular deposit system — galon bottles collected and refilled.
Gallon water bottles (19L galon) are refundable deposit system. Each galon carries Rp7,000–10,000 deposit. Return to any Aqua refill station or through regular delivery service driver.
Return to Pertamina agent or licensed LPG distributor (agen gas). Never dispose in general waste.
LPG cylinders are government-subsidised and must be returned through official Pertamina distribution network. Bright Gas (12kg) and Elpiji 3kg cylinders have different return points.
Bulk Waste
Bulk waste (furniture, appliances, large items): arrange with local waste collector (dinas kebersihan or private contractor). Many areas have scheduled bulk waste collection days — check with RT/RW. Used furniture and appliances: list on OLX Indonesia, Tokopedia second-hand, or local Facebook Buy/Sell groups. Pemulung (informal waste collectors) will often collect items of value left outside.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ! Mixing food waste with dry recyclables — contaminates entire recycling batch at Bank Sampah
- ! Throwing batteries in general waste — serious contamination risk; take to e-waste collection
- ! Burning waste in yard or open areas — illegal under UU No. 18/2008 and extremely common cause of air pollution
- ! Not rinsing plastic bottles before Bank Sampah deposit — reduces accepted value
- ! Using single-use plastic bags in Bali — banned and subject to enforcement (Rp1,000,000 fine for sellers)
- ! Disposing of used cooking oil in sink drains — causes plumbing damage and water contamination
Fines & Enforcement
Illegal dumping (pembuangan liar): Rp5,000,000–50,000,000 under UU No. 18/2008. Single-use plastic in Bali (sellers): Rp1,000,000 fine under Pergub Bali No. 97/2018. Open burning of waste: criminal offence under environmental law. Littering in Jakarta: Rp500,000 under Pergub DKI 3/2013.
Practical Tips
- → Connect with your local RT/RW to find the nearest Bank Sampah — it's a social and environmental win
- → Buy a reusable water bottle and water filter (Coway, Sharp) to eliminate single-use plastic gallon dependence
- → Patronise eco-conscious businesses in Bali — look for Bye Bye Plastic Bags (BBPB) certified vendors
- → Compost kitchen scraps — available composting bins from some municipalities and the community composting movement growing in Bali (Sampah Organik Menjadi Energi)
- → Refuse single-use plastic straws and bags proactively in Bali and beyond
- → Choose refillable cleaning products — Rinso concentrate refills and local ecological cleaning brands
- → Support Reef Check Indonesia and Ocean Heroes bootcamp for marine conservation