Assistant Deputy for Circular Economy and Environmental Impact at the ministry Ahmad Didin said Surabaya was chosen as the pilot location because it already has various community-based waste management initiatives.
"It is hoped that Surabaya will become a model city among the five target locations, allowing other regions to replicate successful waste management schemes," Didin said at the program's launch on Friday.
He explained that the program, which is also supported by the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will initially focus on the Tebu and Mrutu rivers in Surabaya before expanding to Sidoarjo, Solo, Bekasi, and Bali.
The initiative includes river cleanups, waste filtration activities, waste-flow mapping, strengthening community-based waste management systems, and educating residents on waste sorting at the source.
Implementation of the program has been entrusted to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Indonesia, which will support both central and regional governments in carrying out activities in the targeted areas.
"In addition to cleaning waste from rivers, the program seeks to reduce waste generation through behavioral changes so that waste does not end up in drainage systems and rivers," he said.
Meanwhile, Head of the Community Behavioral Change Working Group at the Ministry of Environment, Sri Murwani Nurfadhila Astuti, said the program's success depends on public participation in reducing and sorting waste at the source.
"We encourage people to reduce and sort waste at its source to create economic value while preserving river ecosystems," she said.
Related news: Over 70 pct of Indonesian rivers are moderately polluted: ministry
Related news: Indonesian govt seeks community partnerships in river protection
Translator: Indra, Kenzu
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2026
