Innovation

​Indofood's Green Warmindo program represents an innovative approach to environmental sustainability by transforming post-consumer packaging waste into valuable resources. Launched in 2018, the initiative focuses on educating and empowering small Indomie food stall owners (Warmindos) to segregate and collect used packaging materials, such as Indomie wrappers and plastic bottles, for recycling. This effort not only facilitates the conversion of plastic waste into virgin plastic—enabling the creation of new products like bottles—but also promotes the repurposing of multilayer packaging materials into items like bricks and tables. By integrating these practices into the daily operations of Warmindos, Indofood fosters a circular economy model that reduces environmental impact while providing additional income streams for small business owners. The program's success in pilot areas like Semarang has led to its expansion into other regions, demonstrating its scalability and effectiveness in promoting sustainable waste management practices.​ Bimantoro states, “Green Warmindo participants receive a special certification that is proudly displayed, so customers know their purchase is also helping protect the environment.”

The Green Warmindo innovation emerged as a collaborative and structured response to the growing need for sustainable waste management in Indonesia’s food service sector, particularly among small Indomie food stalls known as Warmindos. Indofood CBP, in partnership with local stakeholders like the Yogyakarta Environmental Agency (DLH), developed a grassroots-level collection mechanism that empowers Warmindo owners to take part in waste segregation and recycling. Bimantoro explained how "the program begins with waste separation and weighing by Warmindo owners, who sort waste into specific categories such as Indomie labels, PET bottles, HDPE, sachets, cans, and other plastics. This waste is then either delivered to local Waste Banks or picked up weekly by appointed collectors. Afterwards, collectors are responsible for accurately weighing, recording, and transporting the waste, later sorting it at their warehouses and updating stock records digitally. Eventually, the collected waste is sold based on current market prices." The systematic flow from collection to sale, supported by training and infrastructure, reflects Indofood’s commitment to fostering a circular economy. The program was initially piloted in Semarang and later scaled to other cities, evolving through strategic partnerships, community involvement, and data-driven operations to ensure effectiveness and replicability.

The creation of the Green Warmindo innovation was a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, each playing a crucial role in shaping and implementing the program. Indofood’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) division and the Indomie noodle division initiated the program, developing the concept, outlining work stages, and allocating the budget. The regional Noodle Division Leads (NDL) in Semarang, Bandung, and Medan acted as program companions, monitoring implementation on the ground and engaging local government bodies and other stakeholders. Non-profit partner Bina Karta Lestari (BINTARI) was instrumental in educating Warmindo owners on proper plastic waste management, facilitating collection, connecting participants to waste collectors, and handling reporting. Key partners like Bank Sampah Bersinar and CV Faisal contributed to waste collection and recycling. Bimantoro then clarified that "Warmindo outlets, although not owned by Indofood, were central to the program, taking responsibility for sorting, storing, and delivering waste to local waste banks. Local government entities—including village heads, sub-district officials, and the Environmental Agency (DLH)—supported the program by providing regulatory and logistical backing." Together, these parties created a decentralized, community-driven waste management system that leverages local capacities to address Indonesia’s plastic waste challenges.

The Green Warmindo innovation strongly relates to Indofood’s overarching mission, purpose, and sense of meaning, serving as a tangible expression of the company’s sustainability values and commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Bimantoro added that, "rooted in Indofood’s mission to provide sustainable food solutions and contribute to the welfare of society and the environment, as well as continuously improving its people, processes, and technologies, Green Warmindo directly addresses one of Indonesia’s most pressing ESG issues—plastic waste management—by empowering local food stalls (Warmindos) to participate in a circular economy." 

Despite logistical challenges like long collection times and high costs, especially for flexible packaging, the program reflects a deep purpose: to build an inclusive, community-based recycling model that strengthens connectivity among stakeholders such as waste banks, collectors, local governments, and NGOs. It showcases Indofood’s value-driven approach, emphasizing integrity, collaboration, innovation, and respect for all stakeholders. As a model that continued operating even through the pandemic, Green Warmindo has not only delivered environmental impact but also fostered positive behavioral change, economic inclusion, and brand trust. Ultimately, the initiative aligns with Indofood’s strategic goals to balance profit with people and planet, contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and integrate sustainability into its core business growth.

Launched in 2018, the program focuses on turning packaging waste from Indomie and other products into recyclable materials. Through partnerships with local governments, NGOs, waste collectors, and community members, Warmindo owners are trained to sort, collect, and deliver waste, which is later processed and sold. This community-based circular economy model not only reduces environmental impact but also creates new income streams for small business owners. Indofood’s approach reflects its values of innovation, integrity, and respect for stakeholders while embedding sustainability into its broader business strategy.

Inspiration

The original idea for the Green Warmindo program arose from Indofood’s awareness of the pressing issue of plastic waste, particularly the challenges associated with recycling low-value plastics like those used in Indomie packaging. Unlike high-value plastics such as PET bottles, which are widely accepted and easily processed by recyclers, multilayer flexible packaging is difficult and costly to recycle, making it less attractive for waste collectors and recyclers. Bimantoro Triadi expressed that "we need to do something," thus, Indofood’s sustainability team recognized that addressing this gap required a solution that was both impactful and cost-efficient. This led to the conceptualization of Green Warmindo in 2023 as a grassroots initiative that empowers Warmindos—small local food stalls—to become part of the solution by sorting and collecting plastic waste at the source. Rather than relying solely on traditional top-down waste management systems, Indofood aimed to create a community-driven model that integrates local stakeholders and builds a circular economy around flexible packaging. The goal was to rethink waste as a resource and establish a sustainable model with wide-reaching environmental and social impact, in line with Indofood’s commitment to responsible business practices and sustainability.

The motivation behind Indofood's Green Warmindo innovation stems from its deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and corporate values that emphasize integrity, respect for stakeholders, innovation, and disciplined execution. Triadi stated that "Green Warmindo is already embedded in Indofood's philosophy." Recognizing the environmental challenges posed by multilayer plastic waste—particularly from Indomie packaging, which is difficult to recycle and often excluded from conventional waste collection systems—Indofood sought to create a solution that would deliver meaningful impact without incurring excessive costs. The company’s sustainability approach, aligned with its mission to provide sustainable food solutions while contributing to societal and environmental welfare, directly influenced the development of Green Warmindo. The initiative also supports Indofood’s alignment with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By empowering local food vendors (Warmindos) to sort, store, and forward plastic waste to waste banks and collectors, Indofood not only addresses ESG issues but also fosters social inclusion, builds community capacity, and models a circular economy that adds long-term value to both the planet and its business operations.

Overall impact

The Green Warmindo initiative by Indofood has already made meaningful impacts, particularly in relation to SDGs 11, 12, 13, and 17. The program prioritizes investing both in people and the environment. In rural areas where Indofood operates, the company builds educational facilities, provides internet access, and offers training programs to empower agricultural workers and local communities. Additionally, they provide free daily meals to factory workers that are made based on nutritional needs. They also provide grants to university students, and much more. 

One social impact the Green Warmindo initiative has on society is promoting environmental awareness and care in their communities, especially with small business owners of food stalls (warungs). By educating these vendors on proper plastic waste management and recycling practices, Indofood empowers communities to participate in reducing pollution and improving public spaces. Additionally, university students conducting food-related research receive grants and mentorship to support sustainable innovation in the sector. They also provide general education, food, and training to employees.

"I want to make effective programs; it doesn't have to have a big cost, but it has to be high impact." - Bimantoro Triadi

Not only does Indofood provide programs to help inform people about environmental protection and sustainability, they do lots of work to enforce this. They plan to reduce plastic waste by 30% by 2029, following the initiative of the government. The plastic they recycle from noodle packaging is used for various environmental projects such as building facilities and schools out of recycled plastic bricks. Another direct positive environmental impact the program has had is the reduction of plastic waste in rivers, seas, and landfills. By collecting and repurposing plastic into useful products like bricks, tables, and boards, they are able to minimize the environmental burden of single-use plastics and contribute to a cleaner ecosystem.

"We collect waste in areas involving our employees." - Bimantoro Triadi

In the short-term, the Green Warmindo program has increased community engagement and knowledge about environmental protections, especially related to plastic. This has led to instant environmental benefits through plastic waste collection that would otherwise end up in places like rivers and forests. Long-term impacts include creating systemic change by making recycling the norm in local communities, reducing the overall plastic footprints, and inspiring similar initiatives throughout Indonesia and eventually worldwide, both with individuals and corporations.

"We made a plastic waste organization here. We collaborate with Dannon, Nestle, Unilever, Coca Cola." - Bimantoro Triadi

Business benefit

The Green Warmindo initiative highly benefits Indofood’s brand reputation and "With better reputation comes more profit" (Bimantoro Triadi). They are leaders in sustainability, which in return drives an increase in sales and customer loyalty. Indofood strengthens its position in the market, by being environmentally responsible. This in return appeals to eco-conscious investors and consumers. In addition, the Indonesian government regulates the usage of plastic. This helps Indofood avoid potential operational risks or fines. Indofood influences other brands during collaborations to be more sustainable and ethically conscious. Lastly, by repurposing plastic to create other products, Indofood can generate more profits, simultaneously protecting the planet. Social and environmental benefit

Social and environmental benefit

One of Indonesia’s most pressing environmental challenges is their overuse of plastic. Indofood’s innovation of Green Warmindo significantly reduces plastic pollution, trying to mediate ecological issues. Indofood does this by repurposing its plastic waste into other products, such as school desks or bricks. By repurposing their plastic, Indofood can mitigate plastic pollution in rivers, land, and seas, protecting our ecosystem. In addition, society and local communities benefit from a cleaner environment and more job opportunities. Bimantoro Triadi expressed that "It increases the communities trust and reputation" in their brand. Indofood practices a circular economy, ensuring plastic waste isn’t irresponsibly discarded, but used to make valuable resources to support the community. 

Interview

Bimantoro Triadi, Head of CSR

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