The Role of Collaboration for a Circular Business Model in Indonesian Household Waste Management

Waste management start-ups require collaboration for developing circular business models to reduce the dependencies of landfills in Indonesia. This manuscript aims to describe the role of collaboration within the development of a circular economy business model. Data were collected from Instagram and the included start-ups’ websites from 2 March to 11 August 2021 and analyzed using the soft system methodology framework. Based on the analysis results, this study developed a rich presentation of the collaborative relationships that the start-ups engaged in. The underlying challenges of implementing a circular business model were identified, and the findings showed that start-ups collaborated to expand their service areas and the variety of waste types that could be managed. This collaboration involved start-ups working with the government, other companies not engaged in the solid waste sector, and other start-up businesses. Collaboration between start-ups and the government for providing waste collection and treatment facilities is vital for implementing such a circular business model. This study also presents several recommendations for the government, waste management start-ups, and other industries concerning the promotion of a circular business model.