Lombok, 12 July 2022 — The top teams of the Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge (EPPIC) competition conducted by the Secretariat of the National Coordination Team for Marine Debris Handling of Indonesia (TKN PSL) and the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) forum of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) met with the Vice Governor of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Dr. Hj. Sitti Rohmi Djalilah today to discuss their plans to tackle plastic pollution in the province.

The teams discussed the province’s goals of achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2050 and their plans to support the province achieve the goal. Among the teams present at the meeting was “Alterpacks” which plans to create environmentally friendly food boxes from used coconut shells. The team hoped for West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government can support for the establishment of a factory in the Lombok area which they note can also be used as a Center for Innovation in Science and technology for the community. Previously, this Singaporean start-up introduced environmentally friendly food boxes made from used grains during the Motor Grand Prix event, held at the Mandalika International circuit in March.

“This food box produced by Alterpacks has the advantage of being able to accommodate gravy and oily food and is leak-proof, so that food delivery is safe in transit. In addition, this food box can also be reused after washing and is heat resistant, making it safe to put in the microwave. The takeaway food boxes have been certified by the FDA, United States of America, and SFA, Singapore, thus ensuring that direct contact with food is not harmful, and is safe for health,” explained Julie Lee, Project Manager, Alterpacks in Indonesia.

The other team attending the meeting, Siklus, operates in the Jakarta capital area and in Mataram The start-up provides refill delivery services for household products without plastic packaging. The team hopes to change the mindset about single-use products and opt for refilling options in a bid to reduce plastic waste.

"Addressing the issue of plastic waste involves multiple parties and we look forward to the local government's support," said Laksamana Sakti, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Siklus.

“NTB hopes to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050. We are a rich province, with both biomass and biothermal energy, and we’re committed to tackling the plastic problem. We’re optimistic about the plans that the EPPIC teams have presented, and we look forward to their implementation," Dr  Hj. Sitti Rohmi Djalilah said.

The 2021 EPPIC program is in line with the new breakthrough of the NTB Provincial Government to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050. EPPIC is an ASEAN-wide competition where innovators share ideas to address  the issue of plastic pollution.

Following a three-month incubation period, the four teams were selected to receive a USD 72,000 award. The teams are  currently undergoing a nine-month acceleration phase carried out by the UNDP Innovation Hub, in collaboration with investors and supported by the Environment and Forestry Office of West Nusa Tenggara Province.

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About AIS Forum

The Archipelagic and Island States Forum (AIS Forum) is a platform under the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment of the Republic of Indonesia designed to cover 47 archipelagic and island countries around the world regardless of region, size, and level of development to take part in a collective forum that discusses sustainable development issues. Development of concrete cooperation between AIS countries in four areas of cooperation, namely climate change mitigation and adaptation, blue economy, marine plastic waste, and good maritime governance.

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Media Contacts

UNDP Indonesia Archipelagic and Island States Program Manager, Abdul Situmorang, adbul.situmorang@undp.org.

UNDP Indonesia Communications Specialist Tomi Soetjipto, suryo.tomi@undp.org.

UNDP Indonesia AIS Project Marketing and Communications Specialist Adream Bais Junior, adream.junior@undp.org.