Azzahra Multi Solusindo (AMS)

Azzahra Multi Solusindo (AMS) is reducing ocean-bound plastic waste by improving refill and recycling systems in low-income communities in Indonesia.

 

Indonesia is the second-largest contributor to global ocean plastic waste, which is likely to reach nearly 30 million metric tons annually by 2040. The country’s collection and recycling infrastructure cannot manage its plastic output, in particular from small-packaging such as sachets and pouches. Implementing a reuse and refill system, that reduces waste by keeping packaging in circulation, has to date remained difficult to scale up and low-income communities, who use sachets and pouches for daily essentials, are sensitive to systems which may seem less affordable or less convenient. 

 

AMS reduces plastic waste leaking into the environment by supporting customers to refill products using their own packaging and providing education to encourage community-based refilling practices, especially focused on low- and middle-income housewives and micro-entrepreneurs. It creates low-tech refill stations in small stores and restaurants and also works with waste banks to collect used packaging for recycling.

 

AMS has created 180 low-tech refill stations in waste banks, small stores and small restaurants across Greater Jakarta and its satellite cities, over 90% of which are led by women. Since 2022, 70,000 litres of products have been sold to approximately 1,500 end-users through these refill systems, preventing over 7,800 kg of plastic packaging from entering the environment.

 

TRANSFORM’s support will enable AMS to scale its low-tech refill business model further. By creating 600 new refill outlets and collection points in collaboration with micro-entrepreneurs, including at least 750 women entrepreneurs, the project will enable:
 

• Sales of 120,000 litres of refill products
• Avoid 8,400kg plastic waste
• Reach more than 12,000 customers

 

Alongside this, AMS will use TRANSFORM’s support to expand its business capacity, increasing annual plastic waste collection from 30 to 120 tons, including waste from products sold to customers.