The complexities of the plastic waste problem requires multiple solutions and cooperation from various stakeholders. The Informal Plastic Collection Innovation Challenge (IPCIC) program, held last year, resulted in various collaborations among waste actors in Indonesia. One of them is Griya Luhu, a digital waste bank platform provider in Bali and alumni of the IPCIC program, who partnered up with the Surabaya Central Waste Bank, an alumni of the Waste Community Accelerator program.
The distance between Bali and Surabaya did not hinder the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and technology needed to improve waste management. Griya Luhu enables waste bank managers to record deposits easily through their application. The Surabaya Central Waste Bank, along with affiliated unit waste banks, excitedly welcomed the implementation of the application in the city.
Feeling enthusiastic about the partnership, Suya Patni, Project Development Manager of Griya Luhu, said that “Our collaboration marks the first milestone for Griya Luhu's expansion outside of Bali and we are delighted to see the excitement from the team and the community to learn about the application. The Griya Luhu application will provide better data traceability, more efficient ways of working and improved digital literacy of the community. Hopefully, this collaboration could attract more waste bank initiatives to switch from manual to digital-based systems.”
Gede Wiraguna and Dimas from Griya Luhu led the application training for waste bank managers in Manyar, Surabaya, on May 28. A number of managers needed more intense assistance, but by the end of the session, all of the participants had understood the functions of various features and how to use them.
Nuriah, head of the Gunung Putri Waste Bank, said that “The application is a big help because now we are able to see the total price and total weight easily without having to do a monthly recap! No more overtime needed, and customers will also be happy.”
Waste bank managers are required to enter the customer database first and set the waste types and price. They will then be able to record items seamlessly on the application.
“Usually it requires a lot of staff to do the recording. This application makes it much easier. We just have to enter customer data and prices at the beginning. Saves time and also reduces paper waste,” said Pujiati, head of the Manyar Mandiri Waste Bank.
Congratulations to Griya Luhu and the Surabaya Central Waste Bank for the collaboration! Hopefully partnerships between waste actors will be numerous in the future and ultimately accelerate solutions to solve plastic waste problems in Indonesia.
