BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The consumption of beverages continues to increase and produces the generation of waste, both plastic and cardboard. Used beverage cartons, which can be recycled, contribute to packaging waste that often ends up in landfills, potentially contaminating the soil, water, and air. Consequently, there is a pressing need for an effective management strategy. The objectives of this study were to determine management strategies that can be implemented through the material flow analysis approach. This study combines socio-economic and cultural aspects within the framework of material flow analysis. The findings provide actionable insights into urban waste, circularity, and sustainability, especially Depok City, in Indonesia.METHODS: Primary data were obtained through direct waste measurements to calculate the generation and composition of Urban Waste over ۸ days. The secondary data used is in the form of data on service areas, the number of people served, and the number of means of transportation. An analysis is performed comparing the present circumstances with two alternative management approaches. The initial alternative involves the processing of used beverage cartons of waste by collectors. The second alternative involves the processing of used beverage cartons waste processed by the collector and is subsequent return to the manufacturer. A descriptive analysis was conducted of both alternatives from various aspects. This study has limitations including the lack of life cycle assessment validation, data localized to Depok City limiting wider applicability, and exclusion of post-consumer and industrial recycling stages from the system boundaries. FINDINGS: The second waste management strategy exhibited a more significant impact on economic, social, cultural, and environmental issues. This strategy has been demonstrated to reduce the generation of waste destined for landfills. CONCLUSION: The integration of waste treatment by collectors and reverse logistics from used beverage cartons through extended producer responsibility proved most effective, reducing ۳۰ percent carbon dioxide emissions per day, and waste to ۴.۳۲ tons per day. The approach also generated ۵۰ percent higher income for collectors, ۱۵ percent cost savings for producers, and created local green jobs in the recycling and logistics sectors. Future research should integrate life cycle assessment for comprehensive environmental assessment, expand geographic scope, and incorporate additional recycling stages and indirect flows such as energy use and emissions.
