Indonesia’s Circular Economy Framework for Plastic Waste: Policy Design to Attain Self-Sufficiency in Recyclable Materials

The absence of specific regulations on the ‘circular economy,’ which currently remain sectoral and fragmented across various policies, has resulted in the concept not being comprehensively integrated into Indonesia’s legal framework and development practices. This research aims to develop an inclusive circular economy concept for plastic waste management in Indonesia, given that the country is the world’s second-largest contributor to plastic pollution after China, generating approximately 3.2 million tons of plastic waste annually. This research constitutes a socio-legal investigation that examines both legal and non-legal materials through a multidisciplinary lens, particularly from economic and environmental perspectives, employing a statutory approach to legislation governing waste management, economic policy, and environmental protection in Indonesia, alongside a comparative analysis with Malaysia and the Netherlands. This research shows, first, the absence of specific regulations or policies concerning Indonesia’s circular economy. Second, it draws lessons from Malaysia and the Netherlands, particularly the elaboration of concepts such as roles and responsibilities and the transition from a linear to a circular economy. Third, the research designs an ‘Indonesia Circular Economy for Plastics’ model, integrated in collaboration with the management of Indonesia’s Waste Banks. Thus, this model is expected to strengthen policy integration, enhance multi-stakeholder participation, and facilitate the transition toward a more sustainable circular economy in plastic waste management in Indonesia.