BGN Mandates Circular Economy Approach for Waste Management in Free Nutritious Meals Programme
Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has issued a directive requiring all kitchens involved in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme to adopt a circular economy approach to waste management. The instruction is intended to ensure that the national nutrition initiative supports public health objectives while aligning with wider environmental sustainability commitments. Details of the directive were outlined by BGN in remarks reported by Antara News.
The policy applies to MBG kitchens, formally known as nutrition fulfilment service units (SPPG), and requires the circular economy concept to be embedded throughout planning, implementation, supervision and reporting processes. According to BGN, this approach is designed to maximise the economic value of waste by promoting reuse and recycling rather than disposal.
Mandatory waste sorting and recycling measures
Under the new instruction, SPPGs must sort waste into four categories: organic, inorganic, residual, and hazardous and toxic. Kitchens are also required to provide appropriate storage facilities for separated waste, operate waste transport vehicles, and procure equipment to process waste into fertiliser or other usable products.
These operational requirements are intended to standardise waste handling practices across the programme and reduce the environmental impact of daily meal production. The measures also reflect broader government priorities on sustainable development, as outlined in discussions on smart technology and innovation for a sustainable future.
Education and accountability for programme operators
BGN has stressed that technical measures must be supported by education and awareness-building. The agency is calling on SPPG operators and MBG beneficiaries to develop a shared understanding of responsible waste management and its role in safeguarding public health and the environment.
Accountability is a central component of the directive. MBG kitchens are required to document and monitor waste volumes by category and submit regular reports to local governments. This data-driven approach mirrors wider public sector efforts to strengthen reporting and transparency, including initiatives linked to digital collaboration and system integration.
“Everything must be properly recorded so that we can conduct evaluations in order to enhance system efficiency and reduce waste,” — Dadan Hindayana, Head, National Nutrition Agency
Balancing nutrition goals with environmental commitments
BGN has emphasised that the circular economy mandate is not a secondary consideration but an integral part of delivering the MBG programme. By embedding waste reduction and reuse into daily operations, the agency aims to ensure that efforts to improve nutritional intake do not undermine Indonesia’s environmental sustainability objectives.
