The city of Surabaya, like many other large cities, has witnessed major changes in its residents' consumptive lifestyles. Behaviors such as buying instant food in single-use plastic bags, excessive groundwater extraction, and shopping for unnecessary items have become common daily occurrences. Unfortunately, these habits have harmful impacts that threaten the city's environmental sustainability, from plastic waste accumulation to ecosystem damage.
According to Andri Arianto, a sociologist from UINSA Surabaya, society needs to adopt a more environmentally-friendly consumption pattern, such as reducing plastic use, recycling, and utilizing easily repairable technology. He suggests that this circular economy requires support from the Surabaya City Government, which has demonstrated commitment through initiatives like the Green City program, reducing plastic bags, and waste management based on the 3R principles (reduce, reuse, recycle).
Andri also noted that the circular economy concept has already been implemented in several thematic neighborhoods in Surabaya. For instance, in Tenggilis Mejoyo, plastic bottle caps are recycled into functional products like tables, chairs, and ashtrays. In another neighborhood, Wethan Banjar Sugihan, used plastic bags are processed into high-value wallets.
Beyond addressing waste issues, the circular economy also opens up new opportunities, both economically and in terms of job creation. Recycling becomes an industry that can absorb labor and create new, useful products. Furthermore, thematic neighborhoods promoting the circular economy also boost the tourism sector by empowering local communities.
The success of the circular economy in Surabaya heavily relies on active community participation and government support in developing infrastructure that enables efficient and integrated recycling. In the future, thematic neighborhoods blending local culture with a circular economy can become tourist attractions while educating the public on the importance of sustainability.
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