Effective waste disposal has always been a pressing concern—especially in disaster-prone regions. Following a survey on solid waste management in Indonesia’s earthquake-impacted West Nusa Tenggara Province, UNDP’s Programme for Earthquake and Tsunami Reconstruction Assistance (PETRA) designed a circular model of livelihood recovery which supports integrated and sustainable waste management. 

Focusing on resilient and sustainable livelihood recovery in the villages of Genggelang and Sambik Elen in earthquake-impacted North Lombok, the project engaged civil society organization Pusat Studi Pembangunan Nusa Tenggara Barat to provide technical support on institutionalizing sustainable waste management into village development policy. It also worked on building technical capacity of community institutions, ensured community and local government stakeholders’ participation, developed waste-based business models, provided tools and equipment for the operationalization of waste segregation facilities and scaled up networks and partnership.   

The project also focused on generating opportunities for the community to earn a living through jobs in waste management and provided gender sensitive policies at village level. Consultations with the community, including women’s groups and local government stakeholders at village, sub-district and district level ensured everyone’s voices were heard as the local government engaged in implementing the project. 

As a result, 18 community-based institutions, including women and youth groups established sustainable waste management practices in both villages. 654 people (40 percent of whom were women) were provided with skills and competencies required for waste management including business models, marketing, and network development. 

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle 

Women took the lead in promoting and extending sustainable waste management practices in Genggelang village. Bank Sampah Buah Delima (Waste Bank Buah Delima), a woman’s group based in Genggelang village championed integrated and sustainable waste management practices included collecting and recycling organic and inorganic waste into various products, such as compost handicrafts.

Inorganic waste wasrecycled through a waste bank, and organic waste was managed with bioconversion technology using BSF (Black Soldier Flies) Maggot.

“We are now more aware about waste management being important for a clean environment; but we need to work together build cooperation and partnership to solve the waste-related problems,” said Eno Sopiatun, Head of BSBD women’s group. 

BSBD scales up awareness campaign and literacy on waste management to students and elementary school teachers in the village.