The Circular Economy Model for Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Management in Indonesia: A Review of Policies and Best Practices
Authors
-
I Putu Astawa
putuastawa1@pnb.ac.idPoliteknik Negeri Bali,
Indonesia
-
Ethan Tan
National University of Singapore (NUS),
Singapore
-
Marcus Tan
Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
Downloads
Background. Electronic waste (e-waste) has become one of the fastest-growing waste streams in Indonesia as rapid digitalization, increased consumer demand for electronic devices, and limited recycling infrastructure create significant environmental and public health challenges. Current disposal patterns—dominated by informal collection, open burning, and landfilling—pose risks related to soil contamination, toxic emissions, and exposure to hazardous substances such as lead, cadmium, and mercury.
Purpose. This study aims to review national policies, regulatory frameworks, and best practices related to e-waste management in Indonesia through the conceptual lens of the circular economy.
Method. The research employs a qualitative literature review design, synthesizing scholarly articles, government documents, international reports, and case-based analyses of e-waste management initiatives. Comparative analysis is used to identify gaps between policy intentions and implementation outcomes while highlighting successful practices at both national and regional levels.
Results. Results show that CE-based initiatives—such as formal recycling facilities, producer take-back programs, and repair–reuse ecosystems—have begun to emerge but face barriers related to limited institutional capacity, low public awareness, and dominance of the informal sector.
Conclusion. The study concludes that strengthening national coordination, scaling up CE-driven business models, and integrating community participation are essential for Indonesia to achieve sustainable e-waste management aligned with circular economy principles.
Araya-Campano, J., de Veer, D., Ergas, M., Jofré Madariaga, D., López-Xalín, N., Merino von Brand, C., Pozo-Rodríguez, M., Ramos, M., Rivadeneira, M. M., Valdés, D., Vásquez, N., & Thiel, M. (2026). Influence of rainfall and winds on the arrival of marine litter on two beaches in northern-central Chile. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 223. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118949
Baffoe, G., & Green, H. (2026). Circular economy and social equity: Addressing the complexities of E-waste management in Accra, Ghana. Environmental Development, 57. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101380
Behrendt, T., & Eppinger, E. (2025). Circularity for Sustainable Textiles: Aligning Fiber Compositions of T-Shirts with Ecodesign and Recyclability †. Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(22). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210057
Chand, S. K., Yatirajula, S. K., Dalai, A., Singh, S., Boorla, V., Singh, S., & Chand, S. (2025). Strategic pathways for sustainable plastic management through a circular economy approach in India. Discover Sustainability, 6(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-02218-1
Consoli, P., Grasso, G., Malara, D., Costa, V., Sciutteri, V., Pedà, C., Figurella, F., Campbell, I., Deery, E., & Andaloro, F. (2026). A continental-scale analysis of benthic litter in marine and freshwater habitats of the Americas using standardized citizen science data. Ocean and Coastal Management, 271. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107973
Dwivedi, S., & Akula, A. (2025). Supply Chain Battery Regulations. Dalam Lithium-ion Batter.: Saf. Chall. And Strateg. (hlm. 353–364). wiley; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394342938.ch15
Gangwar, P., Narain, A., Saini, A., Mitra, D., Karmakar, R., & Assefa, A. (2025). Sustainable approaches to solar photovoltaic waste management under environmental uncertainty. Discover Environment, 3(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-025-00440-2
Giovanni, P. D. (2026). A Dynamic Game of Circular Economy with Environmental Producer Responsibility and Digital Product Passport. International Game Theory Review, 28(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219198925400031
Han, X., Fang, C., Xi, Y., Zhang, W., Ma, Z., & Fa, Y. (2026). “S-LFP battery lithium element recovery and systematic thinking” based on the 5 W + 1H model. Separation and Purification Technology, 382. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2025.135774
Hao, W., Lijing, L., Tianxiao, Q., & Hae-Young, K. (2025). Closed loop supply chains enable carbon reduction and resource circularity in the brewing industry. Discover Sustainability, 6(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01962-8
Hörner Bussolo, G., Visintin, F., Saccani, N., & Bressanelli, G. (2026). Assessing stakeholder engagement to the EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles: A Systematic review integrating stakeholder and institutional theories. Journal of Environmental Management, 397. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.128308
Jiang, Y., & Zhang, X. (2026). Product life cycle environmental regulation and corporate carbon emissions: Quasi-natural experiment from extended producer responsibility system. Energy Economics, 153. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2025.109066
Kronemeyer, N., Wu, X., & Leker, J. (2026). Profitability and carbon footprint of battery recycling and the potential impact on battery cost: A structured machine-learning based review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 226. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2025.116182
Latkar, A. (2025). The matter of value: Circular economy for plastics, extended producer responsibility schemes and recycling in India. Journal of Material Culture, 30(4), 503–523. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591835251389548
Lifset, R., & Vartanian, A. (2025). How extended producer responsibility policy shapes industry behaviour and materials design. Nature Reviews Materials, 10(11), 801–802. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-025-00851-w
Omokaro, G. O., Michael, I., Efeni, O. S., Adeyanju, O. I., & Obomejero, J. (2026). Waste management in Nigeria: Systemic failures, circular economy pathways and sustainable solutions. Environmental Development, 57. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101363
Paramanik, A. R., & Mahanty, B. (2025). A collaborative circular supply chain network design framework for implementing individual producer responsibility under uncertainty. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 203. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2025.104332
Pisipati, L., & Mishra, P. P. (2026). Urban mining and resource recovery: Electronic waste management of Information Technology companies and recyclers in Hyderabad, India. Cleaner Production Letters, 10. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100127
Rakotoarisoa, M. F., Kurniasih, H., & Manitra, M. M. (2026). Advancing regional cooperation to combat marine debris and enhance livelihoods in Indonesia: Translating global agendas into local action. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 224. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.119097
Simanovska, J., & Belousa, I. (2025). Who is in charge? An in-depth study of packaging waste management and the role of extended producer responsibility in Latvia. Waste Management and Research, 43(11), 1892–1900. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X251346671
Teiseh, E., Kounou Ndongo, G., Bagley, D. M., & Larson, J. (2025). Achievements of Canada’s municipal solid waste management: How a policy and technology synergy can inform a new municipal solid waste management framework for Cameroon. Discover Sustainability, 6(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01748-y
Tong, X. (2026). Business Model Innovations in Post-Consumer Recycling in Urban China. Dalam Urban. Sustain.: Vol. Part F980 (hlm. 179–194). Springer; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-6867-0_9
Yeboah Okyere, E. Y., Danquah, J. A., Miyittah, M. K., & Amoah-Nuamah, J. (2025). Tackling microfibre pollution: A review of policy responses and circular economy innovations in textile sustainability. Waste Management Bulletin, 3(4). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wmb.2025.100253
Zhang, L., Qin, G., Huang, W., & Li, H. (2026). Environmental impacts and economic benefits of waste milk carton recovery from schools. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 116. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2025.108075
a