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11 Apr 2017

Saving the Komodo National Park through a Waste Cooperative

Project Leader: Jensi Sartin

University: James Cook University

Lead Organisation: Yayasan WWF Indonesia

Project Location: East Nusa Tenggara (NTT)        

Activity Type: Capacity building, mentoring or coaching                

Sector: Small and medium enterprise development

Project Objectives:

  • To create a model for a community-led enterprise to manage waste in Komodo National Park
  • To establish a waste cooperative in Labuan Bajo

Project Description:

This project will create incentives for the local community in Labuan Bajo to actively participate in managing the waste entering the Komod National Park. It will develop a business model for the community to receive benefits while reducing waste. A cooperative model for the social enterprise could support rural development and employment creation. It would also allow local communities to collaborate, pool resources, and form a collective to produce a systematic solution to solid waste that originates from Labuan Bajo and other urban areas around the Komodo National Park.

Project Beneficiaries:

  • 25 local people who want to organise their commitment and get support in managing waste in Labuan Bajo
  • 5524 local people in Labuan Bajo: They will benefit from cleaner and healthier environment
  • Local government: Reduced operational cost in collecting solid waste
  • Komodo National Park: Reduced threat from solid waste to the Park

Priority Development Area: Effective economic institutions and infrastructure                 

Links with Australia:

Indonesia can learn from Australia's enormous experience and lesson learnt on solid waste management as well as in building communities' awareness and participation to reduce waste.

Relevant Facts:

The Komodo National Park in NTT protects the Komodo dragon and its habitat, while playing a significant role in the economy of West Manggarai District where it’s located. However, at least 328 cubic meters of waste enter the Park daily. About 90% of the waste is plastic waste produced by the tourism sector in Labuan Bajo, the nearest town to the Park. Labuan Bajo produces about 5 tonnes of solid waste each day.

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