Prevented Ocean Plastic™ and Danone have joined forces to bringing recycling to the island of Borneo.
Last month, a ribbon was cut outside of a waste plastic aggregation centre in Samarinda, in the Indonesian province of East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. The centre is the direct result of a partnership with consumer goods giant Danone, through its Indonesian bottled water brand AQUA.
The collection centre is the ninth to be officially opened as part of Prevented Ocean Plastic’s 25 by 2025 mission.
The region served by the new centre is home to crucial waterways which are under threat from pollution, including the Mahakam River. It is the second longest river in Indonesia and functions as a source for drinking water and as a means of transportation. The river is home to the critically endangered Mahakam River Dolphin, of which there are less than 90 estimated to remain. The centre is also in close proximity to the Mahakam Delta, which feeds directly into the ocean and is known for its mangrove forests, which are under threat. By facilitating the collection and recycling of discarded plastic, the centre will help to prevent waste plastic reaching these waterways, where it can pollute and damage delicate ecosystems.
Sahid Arifin, the site manager at the Samarinda centre, said, “Having an aggregation centre in Samarinda greatly supports the people of East Kalimantan. Covering Samarinda and its surrounding areas, this centre will be very good for reducing plastic waste in the region, and very helpful for local people who are searching for jobs. Thank you to Prevented Ocean Plastic™ for supporting our region.”
To open these centres, Prevented Ocean Plastic™ works in partnership with progressive organisations, including Circulate Capital and United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to develop efficient plastic collection infrastructure built with traceability systems to fit upcoming extended producer responsibility requirements. Each centre is underpinned by the Prevented Ocean Plastic™ Standards, the most comprehensive set of standards in the industry which elevate responsible sourcing and promote safe and dignified working conditions. The standards were developed in accordance with the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) base code and are informed by the Code of Good Practice developed by ISEAL, as well as Bantam Materials UK Ltd.’s Good Manufacturing Practices and best-in-class supply chain processes.
Plastic recycling in Borneo just got better! But we know there’s always more to be done. Prevented Ocean Plastic’s next milestone in our 25 by 2025 mission will be announced soon.
About PREVENTED OCEAN PLASTIC™:
Prevented Ocean Plastic™ is high quality, certified recycled plastic that has been collected from coastal areas at risk of ocean plastic pollution. Used by supermarkets and brands around the world, it meets regulatory health and safety standards, is traceable back to source and can be identified on-pack through its distinctive triangular logo. Prevented Ocean Plastic™ was an official nominee for the 2023 Earthshot Prize, and counts Lidl, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Booths Supermarket as key partners, along with major manufacturing partners such as Groupe Guillin, Spectra Packaging, and Berry Global for offerings across multiple product categories, including fish, poultry, soft fruits, pet food, personal care, and home cleaning
