Project STOP, co-founded by Borealis and Systemiq, says it expanded access to end-to-end waste management services to 772,485 people in 2025, aiming to establish Indonesia’s first regency-wide circular waste management system in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java.
Established in collaboration with Clean Rivers, Banyuwangi Regency and the Indonesian Government, waste management systems supported through the project have reportedly collected 100,961 metric tonnes of waste since 2017. The programme has also created 276 full-time-equivalent jobs, strengthening local economies.
In 2025, with the support of Banyuwangi Regency, the programme worked with village leaders, facilitators and local influencers through community meetings and door-to-door outreach to improve household participation rates. Apparently, Banyuwangi Regency’s efforts ranked second in Indonesia for community-based total sanitation (STBM) and received the Swasti Saba Healthy District Award.
Systemiq adds that recycled polypropylene from Project STOP’s collected plastic waste was transformed into Wild Pots, showcased at K 2025. This was the result of a partnership between Borealis, Borouge, Pelita Mekar Semesta (PMS), WILDPLASTIC? and WITTMANN.
In 2026, Project STOP plans to continue expanding waste collection services to additional villages in Banyuwangi Regency, commission a second material recovery facility in Karetan, and begin construction of two material transfer stations. Once operational, these facilities are expected to handle up to 260 metric tonnes of waste per day.
Last month, Borouge and Borealis joined forces with Catalytic Finance Foundation, Pelita Mekar Semesta (PMS) and Reciki Solusi Indonesia in an effort to establish Indonesia’s ‘first’ fully integrated circular waste management ecosystem. The parties also seek to work with Project STOP, supporting ongoing efforts to reduce marine litter, improve livelihoods and contribute to in-country value and economic development.
In an edition of the Brief last year we outlined the main findings of Sensoneo’s Global Waste Index 2025, comparing waste management across the 38 member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). We covered points including the biggest global waste polluters, waste production trends and the impact of DRS schemes.
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