There’s one name in the sustainability business, particularly in the East Java region, that has become a close friend of Pable’s: Robries. Robries is an eco-business company focused on converting plastic waste into renewed goods. On a cloudy January afternoon, Pable had the opportunity to chat with the founder, Niam, and hear Robries’ story.
Robries planted the seeds years before they were born, from the awareness of a young Niam who loved outdoor activities. As she grew, Niam realized that what she had seen and felt all those years ago was beginning to change. Nature was changing —sustainable living was being abandoned, people were throwing away too much waste, and the earth was being damaged. From there, Niam felt the need for change if we wanted to continue living side by side with the beautiful nature of her childhood. Eventually, Niam joined various green-collectives and organizations, striving to make change happen with small steps.
Niam, a product design graduate from the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology in Surabaya, finally combined her academic passion with her concern for the environment. Seeing the dire situation of plastic waste in Indonesia at the time, Niam was convinced she needed to give it a second life. Then a question was posed: what kind of product model wouldn’t have to retain its virgin form to sell? The answer didn’t come easily.
In 2018, Robries finally took the definitive step: converting plastic waste into hardboard that could be constructed into various things, such as stools, wall panel installations, and so on. Fast forward almost a decade later, Robries has recycled over 190 tons of plastic waste, saved over 410 tons of CO2 emissions, created over 27,000 renewable products, and partnered with over 1,000 clients. Furthermore, Robries has expanded its impact on the community by establishing a Warehouse Consolidation, comprising material collectors for Robries. As the name suggests, this consolidation was created to ensure a sense of community, ensure the welfare of collectors, and serve as a tangible form of Robries’ giving back to the community.
After relocating from Surabaya, Robries is now based in Sidoarjo, East Java. Robries has also expanded from simply selling recycled products to include a variety of services: bulk supply for B2B customers, consultation, and partnerships for sustainable projects. They also have distributors internationally.
Robries is a breath of fresh air for green manufacturing in Indonesia. Its presence brings hope that the future lies in our innovation and creativity in preserving the environment.
