The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) emphasized that the biggest challenge in waste management in Indonesia today no longer lies in the availability of technology, but rather in the sustainability of its operational systems. Although various innovations ranging from composting to pyrolysis are already available, implementation at the field scale often faces significant obstacles.
Principal Researcher at BRIN's Research Center for Environmental Technology and Clean Technology, Wahyu Purwanta, revealed during the Media Lounge Discussion (MELODI) in Jakarta that the gap between the success of pilot projects and community operations remains a major homework. According to him, many technologies that have proven successful in laboratories actually fail when implemented widely in society.
This condition prompts the need for a transformation in the direction of national research. The focus of research must now shift from merely creating new tools to designing a holistic ecosystem. Social, economic, and regional policy aspects are considered crucial variables that determine long-term success, going beyond mere technical efficiency.
Furthermore, Wahyu emphasized that the government and stakeholders must stop viewing waste management solely from the hardware side. Building a supportive ecosystem for existing technologies is a strategic step so that innovations such as RDF, biogas, and incinerators can run effectively and consistently across all regions of Indonesia.
