Case Study
Indonesia: Bogor, Depok, Jakarta
WWF Involvement: January 2023 to December 2025
Focus Area: Enabling Framework
PSC Approach: Monitoring and Assessment
Systemic Intervention: Systems and Infrastructure
Key Lessons Learned
- Offline functionality enables continuity in areas with unreliable connectivity: Offline data entry has allowed transactions to be recorded in areas with limited or unreliable internet access, proving essential for maintaining uninterrupted operations.
- Ongoing training and community engagement improve user adoption: Consistent training sessions and regular socialisation events have helped users transition more smoothly to the digital system, reflected in the steady growth of registered users.
- Technical support and user familiarity are critical when shifting to digital systems: Transitioning from manual to digital operations benefits from continuous technical support and user training, particularly when partners and customers are less familiar with digital tools.
- Monitoring and data validation strengthen system performance and trust: Regular monitoring helps refine the app and drive user engagement, while data validation ensures that uploaded information remains accurate and reflects real conditions on the ground.
Background
Aplikasi Data Sampah Indonesia (AKSI) is an Indonesian Waste Data Application, available on Apple Store and Google Play, developed to help waste banks move away from manual record-keeping to a digital system. The objective is to create a more effective, efficient, and transparent waste collection and monitoring system at the community-level, with implementation starting with pilot projects across three cities (Bogor, Depok, Jakarta).
Subsequently, the app will be handed over to the local government for monitoring and evaluation purposes in the next phase of development.
Objectives
- Digitise manual waste data recording processes used by waste banks and their customers (households and non-households).
- Provide real-time monitoring and reporting of waste collection and compositions.
- Enhance government monitoring capabilities to support national waste policies.
Key Successes
- Waste banks can digitally record the waste collected from their customers (mixed waste, non-organic, and organic waste), track monetary balances and transactions, and provide real-time data to customers on their waste contributions. Key features include waste collection tracking and pickup request functionality. This helps to increase transparency and customer engagement.
- The app was launched in August 2023 and by December 2024, AKSI had 875 verified individual users (waste bank customers) and 98 partner users (waste banks and organisations). Users are registered throughout Indonesia.
- Waste Collection Impact: The AKSI app facilitated the collection of substantial waste volumes, recording 327 tonnes of plastic waste, 800 tonnes of organic waste, and 41 tonnes of mixed waste from its launch to December 2024.
- Community engagement: More than 25 socialisation and training sessions were held, targeting users from various waste banks, including 82 participants in the Bank Sampah Gunung Emas capacity-building workshop. A supplementary training video was also developed for partners.
- Offline data entry increases accessibility: The ability to record transactions offline ensures that waste banks can continue using the system even in areas with poor internet connectivity. This feature has been particularly beneficial for waste banks in remote areas, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
Key Challenges
- The AKSI app currently does not categorise non-organic waste by specific plastic types, which affects the level of detail available in the data collected.
- Change management considerations remain important: For some users familiar with manual systems, the transition to digital tools has required adjustment. This has been particularly relevant for user groups with lower levels of digital literacy.
- System optimisation is ongoing: Users have observed occasional technical issues, such as incorrect waste data displays and transaction inconsistencies. These are being addressed in coordination with the app developers as part of continuous system refinement.
- E-Pay integration is still in development: Online financial transaction capabilities are progressing, though subject to regulatory and procedural processes. Once completed, this integration is expected to enhance user convenience. In the interim, transactions continue to be conducted in person.
- Maintaining data accuracy and verification is an area of continued focus: Efforts are ongoing to encourage verified users to consistently enter accurate data, as validation and monitoring systems continue to be strengthened.
Resources
- Support: WWF partnered with local governments (Bogor, Depok, Jakarta), while covering the costs of app development, socialisation, and partner engagement.
- Training and socialisation: Regular training sessions were held by WWF, which boosted some user confidence and engagement, with waste banks reporting improved data accuracy over time.
Enabling Factors
- Uptake of a digital app for data logging and monitoring is helpful due to its modular structure and alignment with waste management initiatives.
- Training and socialisation efforts: Training sessions and digital materials (online video tutorials) helped build user confidence.
Risks & Opportunities
- Varying levels of stakeholder familiarity with the app may affect uptake: Tailored technical support and regular monitoring can help facilitate smoother adoption and ease the transition where additional assistance is needed.
- Ongoing technical issues within the system may affect user confidence: Continued improvements and timely updates based on user feedback remain essential to ensuring a reliable and user-friendly experience.
- Aligning the app with government data systems and regulatory frameworks can present coordination needs: Early engagement and collaboration with relevant authorities can help ensure compatibility and support smooth integration with official data requirements.
- Integrating an online payment system may enhance transaction processes and support operational efficiency: Financial integration has the potential to streamline payments and strengthen the overall functionality of the system.
