June 11, 2025 – Indonesia Mandates Plastic Packaging Takeback in Environmental Policy Overhaul
AsiaMB reports Indonesia is revolutionizing its approach to plastic waste management by transitioning from voluntary to compulsory producer responsibility schemes. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq announced at the Bali World Environment Day summit that manufacturers will soon be legally required to collect equivalent amounts of plastic waste to their packaging production volumes.
The policy shift addresses Indonesia’s mounting plastic crisis, where current voluntary programs recover less than 40% of targeted waste. Official data reveals plastic constitutes nearly one-fifth of the nation’s 34.2 million tons of annual waste, with packaging materials being the primary contributor.
The Environment Ministry is fast-tracking revisions to the Producer Waste Reduction Roadmap to replace expiring 2017 presidential regulations. The new framework introduces a groundbreaking “production-recovery parity” system, compelling manufacturers to establish reverse logistics networks. Industry analysts suggest this may accelerate adoption of sustainable color masterbatch solutions as companies seek to minimize future collection liabilities.
This regulatory transformation positions Indonesia as the first Southeast Asian nation to implement extended producer responsibility at scale. The policy is expected to significantly impact packaging design trends, potentially favoring mono-material structures that facilitate recycling. Implementation is slated for August, with phased enforcement targeting major consumer goods producers first.