Prof. Benny Tjahjono, Dr. Jill Timms and Jordon Lazell of Coventry University visited Jakarta, Indonesia to present their research as part the 3^rd Indonesian Circular Economy Forum. The event brought together government officials, researchers in both the public and private sector, and businesses to share their expertise. Opening the event, the Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investments of the Indonesian government explained the importance of advancing the circular economy. Indonesia is expected to soon become the world’s 4^th largest economy and is keen to avoid the environmentally damaging ways of some of its neighbours.

With the University of Indonesia, Coventry University hosted a special session on food waste in the supply chain. Prof. Benny Tjahjono opened the session outlining the supply chain processes involved and the challenges to sustainability in an Indonesian context. This was followed by Dr. Jill Timms who discussed the potential role of certification in this area using her work on the cut flower industry as an example. Jordon Lazell talked about his recent study looking into food waste in the supply chain of a retailer in Southern Africa raising some of the issues faced in this comparatively industrialising country. Dr. Alin Halimatussadiah and Dr. Cindy Priandi of the University of Indonesia also presented their food waste work, demonstrating both the huge potential of the circular economy in this field and the barriers to overcome.

The second part of the session involved a series roundtable discussions on the food waste in the supply chain topic. Four groups covered different parts of the supply chain. Groups consisted of government officials, businesses and voluntary organisations, academics and members of the public. Each group considered current issues and brainstormed potential solutions, what was required of different parts of Indonesian society for the successful implementation and any drawbacks. Overall the roundtable discussions were extremely valuable and will be used in constructing future research pathways.

The special session was funded through a networking collaboration grant from the Academy of Medical Sciences. Coventry University, the University of Indonesia, the National University of East Timor and the University of Science Malaysia are working to draw together the findings, experience and contacts to develop further work in the area of the circular economy, food waste, and the sustainability of the supply chain.

More information on the 3rd Indonesian Circular Economy Forum 2019, including videos of the sessions, can be found here – https://indonesiacef.id/