In Indonesia, the trend of frequently changing smartphones has caught the attention of the telecommunications industry. With this behavior, the secondary market for smartphones has become the largest in the country.
Introduction of Bye Bye Box
Merza Fachys, the Director and Chief Regulatory Officer of XLSmart, highlighted this phenomenon during the launch of the Bye Bye Box sustainability initiative on September 14, 2026, at the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB). He emphasized the importance of recognizing the valuable components within electronic waste rather than discarding them. "This has made us think, 'Do we really need to throw everything away?'" Merza stated.
Role of ITB in E-Waste Awareness
ITB was chosen as the first campus to introduce the Bye Bye Box initiative, which will eventually expand to other key locations. This program accepts all types of electronic waste, from old smartphones to unused cables. Individuals who dispose of their waste at Bye Bye Box will receive rewards, such as free data quotas, as a form of appreciation from XL Smart.
Valuable Materials in E-Waste
Merza pointed out that electronic waste contains valuable materials like gold and platinum. These materials can be recycled and transformed into new, valuable resources. He also mentioned that not all items need to be turned into new materials; some can be repaired or refurbished to regain functionality. This collaboration aims to be a starting point for a sustainable future, encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their electronic waste.
Expanding the Bye Bye Box Initiative
Currently, there are only two Bye Bye Box machines, but plans are in place to expand their availability. M. Dzikri Ahira Soefihara, Founder & CEO of Remind, echoed Merza's sentiments, likening electronic waste to mining materials due to the precious components they contain. With the rapid turnover of mobile phones, it is crucial to have a solution like Bye Bye Box, which is supported by XL Smart and ITB.
This initiative is part of XL Smart's commitment to building responsible digital infrastructure in Indonesia. By promoting responsible electronic waste management, the initiative aligns with the company's ESG and sustainability efforts. Bye Bye Box serves as Indonesia's first E-Waste Reverse Vending Machine, designed to facilitate the responsible disposal of unused electronic devices.
The program, which runs from September 14 to 28, 2026, began with the launch at ITB and will continue with activities around the campus. In the first phase, which extends until November 2026, XL Smart and Remind aim to collect 600 kg of e-waste. All collected waste will be documented and measured to assess the program's overall impact.
Users can easily participate by bringing small electronic devices that are no longer in use and following the prompts on the Bye Bye Box screen. The devices will be scanned, validated through AI technology, weighed automatically, and recorded in the Remind system.
Source: https://inet.detik.com/consumer/d-8661768/hp-bekas-jadi-pasar-secondary-terbesar-di-ri-xlsmart-bikin-byebyebox
