Indonesia’s waste collection system is evolving, with the government gradually taking on a more formal role. However, the system still heavily relies on private initiatives like Wahu and the local informal waste sector.
As the local informal waste system is such a big part of the current system, its role can and should be considered in new, formalised recycling solutions such as Wahu’s. Wahu’s mission is to create system change by building a large-scale viable waste infrastructure in Southeast Asia to prevent future pollution.
How can the informal waste community play a meaningful role in initiatives like Wahu to tackle Indonesia’s waste challenges?
We are looking for design solutions that improve waste collection efficiency, empower waste pickers, and enhance both environmental impact and quality of life. Waste pickers are some of Indonesia’s most undervalued workers, yet they are vital to the recycling system. By integrating their needs into formalised waste collection solutions, we can create a system that is both effective and fair.
In this lab, Wahu and a team of selected designers will work together to research, identify opportunities, and prototype solutions that can be tested locally. By experimenting with new approaches, we aim to develop concepts that Wahu and other waste collectors can implement as they scale their work.
We are assembling a team of two Dutch and two Indonesian designers. Ideally, the designers come from different design disciplines, such as Product Design, Service Design, Social Design, etc. Together they will co-develop and prototype a waste collection system that better integrates waste pickers into a formalised framework. The concept will aim to promote more effective waste collection systems while also improving the working conditions of waste pickers. Results should be co-designed with waste pickers, residents, and industry & governmental stakeholders to meet local needs and demands.
Are you ready to turn waste into an opportunity? Read the briefing and apply before 9 March.
This lab is made possible by Erasmus Huis Jakarta.
