The Kalibaru Hub is a transformative initiative in Jakarta that focuses on upcycling green mussel waste into environmentally friendly products. It is a collaborative effort between the Jakarta Provincial Government, the Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities), and the United Cities and Local Government Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC). The hub aims to promote sustainable waste management practices and empower local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Kalibaru community, which is known for its green mussel industry.
The initiative involves processing shell waste through new business initiatives, strengthening organisational capacity and business skills for the community, and enhancing access to markets for recycled products. This project is part of the R-Cities' Resilient Community Impact Funds (RCIFunds), which targets community innovation and resilience projects.
The Kalibaru Hub plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable waste management in Jakarta as it addresses significant waste generated by the labour-intensive green mussel production process. The community previously dumped this waste at sea, but the hub aims to change this practice by creating new economic opportunities and fostering local entrepreneurial growth.