RRI.CO.ID, Nusantara - Waste remains a major challenge for cities around the world, often associated with pollution, health risks, and environmental degradation. In Indonesia’s future capital, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), waste is being transformed into a valuable source that can drive sustainability and community participation.

The IKN Authority, together with various stakeholders, organized a series of waste-sorting awareness activities at the Multifunction Hall, Joint Office Building 3, on Thursday, 5 February 2026. The event was held as part of the lead-up to National Waste Awareness Day (HPSN) 2026, which will be commemorated nationwide on 21 February.

The initiative reflects IKN’s effort to foster a culture of sustainable waste management from the earliest stages of city development, while also clarifying public misconceptions about environmental practices in the new capital. Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy for Environment and Natural Resources of the IKN Authority, Myrna Asnawati Safitri, underlined that the program represents a shared commitment to responsible waste management. 

“We leverage this momentum to rally our collective spirit and commitment so that waste management in IKN can truly be implemented properly, preventing waste accumulation. The key is building consistent habits in managing waste, including reducing environmentally unfriendly behavior. I hope this meeting will strengthen public enthusiasm to actively implement waste management practices in their own environments,” she said.

The activities began with the introduction of the Sorting Waste, Saving Gold program, presented by Chairwoman of the Indonesian Friends of Gold and Waste Care Forum (FORSEPSI), Mina Dewi Sukmawati, together with Pangalinan Matandung, Deputy of Regional Business for Kalimantan at PT Pegadaian. Mina Dewi explained that the initiative aims to reframe waste from a problem into an economic opportunity by applying circular economy principles.

By using a technology-based waste management system, residents who sort plastic packaging can deposit it at nearby waste banks. The collected materials are then converted into points equivalent to gold savings in Pegadaian accounts, encouraging daily environmental action while supporting financial inclusion.

The program continued with an interactive discussion involving FORSEPSI, Director of Environment and Disaster Mitigation at the IKN Authority Lazuardi Nasution, and Plasticpay Business Development Manager Arif Rahman Abidin, highlighting the importance of collaboration between government institutions, community groups, and private innovators in building an effective waste ecosystem.

At the end of the event, the IKN Authority received a Plasticpay Reverse Vending Machine (RVM), an automated facility that allows users to exchange used plastic bottles for digital points convertible into electronic money. The activity concluded with educational games on personal waste management and recognition for IKN residents who consistently practice waste sorting at home.

Overall, the initiative sends a clear message to the international community: IKN is being developed as a future-oriented capital where sustainability is integrated into everyday life, supported by community participation, technology, and cross-sector cooperation.