Dulang: an easy repair solution for used electronics (as easy as ordering food online)

Indonesia faces a growing e-waste problem, with 95% of electronic waste remaining un-recycled. Jakarta, the nation's bustling metropolitan hub, generates a staggering 75 tons of e-waste daily, contributing to carbon emissions, unsustainable resource extraction, and environmental degradation. Existing solutions for repair and disposal are inconvenient and lack digital integration, resulting in a lack of awareness and incentives for consumers to manage their used electronics responsibly.

From a macro perspective, there is significant demand to tackle e-waste, redistribute access to electronics, and improve the employment rate, especially for people in their productive years. This is particularly crucial for underprivileged communities, particularly the youth, who often struggle to find meaningful employment opportunities. By enabling an easier ecosystem for repairs and resales of electronics, Dulang not only addresses the e-waste problem but also helps bridge the digital divide and create job opportunities.

Dulang is a web-based platform that simplifies the electronic repair process for consumers while providing income opportunities for underprivileged repairers. Through our user-friendly interface, customers can easily input device information, describe issues, and select a convenient time for pick-up and delivery of their devices. Our network of skilled repairers, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds, are already capable of providing repair services. On the back end, our system efficiently matches repair requests with available technicians, optimizing logistics and ensuring timely service delivery.

On top of enabling a more streamlined process, Dulang could empower existing grassroot organizations. For instance, we are planning to collaborate with an Indonesia-based waste bank management startup in Indonesia to transform local waste banks into 'circularity hubs' that would expand the offerings to also cover repair as well as trade of used electronics.

Dulang's innovative approach focuses on enabling reuse and life extension of electronics, rather than just recycling. By prioritizing repairs and resales, we contribute to a more sustainable way of consuming electronics through the circular economy framework. Our platform caters to the lack of awareness, convenience, and incentives faced by electronics users, providing a one-stop solution for their repair and resale needs. We are well-positioned for execution by being part of global communities such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, support from government agencies like Bappenas, and potential collaborations with other startups in and outside of Indonesia like with an Australian social enterprise that focuses on repurposing e-waste into the home solar system of micro solar panels for villages.

Our demo video can be accessed here.

Dulang serves two primary target populations:

1) Consumers who own electronic devices in need of repair. By providing a convenient and trustworthy repair solution, Dulang encourages consumers to extend the life of their devices, reducing e-waste and promoting more sustainable consumption habits. Our platform saves customers time and effort, while also offering cost-effective alternatives to purchasing new devices.

2) Underprivileged youth and individuals with a passion for electronics and repair. For example, one of our repairers who was a former street kid who was then taken under the wing of a foundation and trained in electronic repair now could earn an additional income. Our platform could enable people like him to build sustainable livelihoods while contributing to environmental conservation efforts. By empowering repairers and providing them with access to a broader market, Dulang helps alleviate poverty and create meaningful employment opportunities.

As a Jakarta-based company, we intimately understand the local e-waste challenges through daily exposure. Our Team Lead's more than a decade-long sustainability experience provides invaluable perspective in addressing sustainability issues including e-waste, as featured in Green.org. Furthermore, we were showcased by Bappenas (Ministry of National Development Planning of the Republic of Indonesia) as an example of the implementation of a circular economy in electronics and were invited to various events including a focus group discussion to discuss the road map and action plan to enable the circular economy in electronics in Indonesia. We are also part of the Greentech Entrepreneurs Network, a flagship program by Germany’s Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Bappenas, fostering pioneering green tech entrepreneurs in Indonesia.

Crucially, our solution stems from primary research with informal e-waste sectors, enabling us to create an approach based on community needs and practices. Our subject matter expertise, and inclusive problem-solving position us well to deliver a comprehensive solution that drives sustainable e-waste management while empowering local communities economically.

Dulang has developed a functional web-based repair platform (dulang.id) and has successfully onboarded a network of skilled repairers, many from underprivileged backgrounds. We have piloted and tested our solution in Jakarta, serving an initial customer base of around 25 users and refining our processes based on their feedback.

Further, since our establishment, we have made significant strides. Our small-scale pilot launched in March 2023 has garnered attention and support from prominent entities. We've secured positions in respected accelerators like URBAN-X Accelerator (by MINI BMW Group) in NYC (we were even flown from Jakarta), Life Changing Labs, NexDev, DSLaunchEco, and Greentech Entrepreneurs Network (GEN). Our founder, Kreshna, was also featured in a live TV interview on IDX Channel, and we have participated in key sustainability events such as Maybank Sustainability Week and SYNC Climate Tech Singapore.

Dulang is applying to Solve to access the expertise, networks, and resources needed to overcome key barriers and scale our impact. As a young organization tackling complex environmental and social challenges, we recognize the need for strategic partnerships and support to achieve our vision of a more sustainable and equitable electronic consumption model in Indonesia.

Specifically, we hope that Solve can help us:

1. Refine our business model and pricing strategy to ensure long-term financial sustainability while remaining accessible to our target communities. We seek guidance on striking the right balance between profitability and social impact and on exploring additional revenue streams such as e-waste credits and data monetization.
2. Connect with mentors and experts in the fields of circular economy, e-waste management, and social entrepreneurship to guide our growth and impact measurement. We would benefit from insights on best practices in these domains and on navigating the regulatory landscape in Indonesia.
3. Access funding opportunities to invest in our technology infrastructure, expand our repair network, and develop targeted marketing campaigns to raise awareness about responsible electronic consumption. We recognize the importance of additional capital to scale our solution and achieve our ambitious goals.
4. Build partnerships with global organizations working on similar challenges to exchange knowledge, collaborate on research and development, and amplify our collective impact. We believe that collaboration is key to driving systemic change and would welcome the opportunity to learn from and contribute to a global community of innovators.

Beyond financial support, we value the validation, credibility, and exposure that being a Solver would bring to Dulang. The recognition would help us fundraise, attract top talent, secure key partnerships, and influence policy discussions around e-waste management and the circular economy in Indonesia.

We believe that the support and resources provided by Solve will be instrumental in helping Dulang achieve its mission of reducing e-waste, promoting sustainable consumption, and creating meaningful livelihood opportunities for underprivileged communities in Indonesia.

Dulang takes an innovative strategy to address Indonesia’s growing e-waste problem by leveraging technology and circular economy concepts. Our online platform streamlines the repair process, enabling consumers to conveniently extend the lifespan of their electronic devices rather than contributing to the e-waste stream. Moreover, our innovation lies in the user-friendly interface that seamlessly connects consumers with a network of skilled repairers, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds, fostering economic inclusion by providing employment opportunities.

Further, Dulang plans to build partnerships with local waste banks, transforming them into ‘circularity hubs’ that offer repair services as an additional revenue stream while potentially facilitating activities like reselling, purchasing, and exchanging used electronics. This holistic waste management model aligns with circular economy principles by promoting reuse and repair before recycling.

The solution proposed by Dulang holds the potential to be a catalyst by promoting conscious electronics consumption and inspiring other organizations to adopt similar paradigms that give precedence to repair and reuse over disposal. By demonstrating economic and environmental benefits, Dulang could drive a mindset shift and systemic change in how electronics are consumed and managed, potentially transforming the market landscape towards a more sustainable and circular economy.

Our theory of change outlines a logical framework aimed at transforming electronic device repair and consumption patterns in Indonesia. Our key activity is providing a user-friendly web platform for scheduling repairs. In addition, we are planning to establish "circularity hubs" in collaboration with local waste banks. These initiatives aim to increase accessibility and convenience for consumers while creating additional business opportunities, especially for underprivileged repairers. The immediate outcomes of these efforts include a reduction in e-waste generation, improved livelihoods for repairers, and increased awareness of responsible electronic consumption and the circular economy. In the long term, we anticipate significant reductions in Indonesia's e-waste volume and associated environmental impact, improved accessibility to repaired devices, widespread adoption of circular economy principles in the electronics sector, and a fundamental shift in mindset towards prioritizing reuse over hoarding, disposal, or recycling.

Our logical framework for this solution was supported by the following sources:

• Dulang’s survey
• The Global E-waste Monitor 2024
• Studies demonstrating the economic, environmental, and system-wide benefits of extending product lifespans through repair (e.g., Ellen MacArthur Foundation article)
• The Economic, Social, and Environmental Benefits of a Circular Economy in Indonesia (Low Carbon Development Indonesia)
• Life cycle analysis of electronic products for a product-service system: https://linkinghub.elsevier.co...
• Electronic waste generation, economic values, distribution map, and possible recycling system in Indonesia: https://linkinghub-elsevier-com.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/retrieve/pii/S0959652621003164
• Current status of the recycling of e-waste in Indonesia:

https://www-tandfonline-com.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/doi/full/10.1080/12269328.2022.2142856

Our key impact goals are closely tied and aligned with the UN SDGs, as we measure progress towards these goals through various mechanisms, such as continuously tracking key indicators via our internal database and surveys, collaborating with partners for impact assessment and data analysis, and conducting customer satisfaction surveys to record behavioral changes toward repair and reuse, particularly:

• Tackle poverty and foster sustainable livelihoods for underprivileged individuals by providing employment opportunities as skilled repairers (SDG 1, Target 1.1.1).
• Promote economic inclusion and equal opportunities by offering employment and income growth for disadvantaged communities (SDG 10, Target 10.1.1).
• Contribute to sustainable urban development by addressing e-waste management in cities through a circular economy model (SDG 11, Target 11.6.1).
• Encourage responsible consumption and production patterns by facilitating the repair and reuse of electronic devices, reducing the need for new products and minimizing waste (SDG 12, Targets 12.4.2 and 12.5).

Key indicators include the number of repairers from disadvantaged backgrounds experiencing increased income, the percentage increase in their income levels, the amount of e-waste diverted from landfills or recycling facilities, and the number of devices repaired and reused through the platform.

Dulang's solution revolves around an intuitive web platform that streamlines the repair process for consumers. With a user-friendly interface, customers can provide details about their device, describe the issues they’re facing, and select convenient times for pick-up, making the entire experience smooth and hassle-free.

Currently, Dulang consists of three people at the management level, three internal staff, two external staff, two interns, and one advisor.

We have been working on this solution for one and a half years.

At Dulang, we believe that DEI is essential as a vital driver of innovation and creativity through diverse viewpoints and operational excellence. Our commitment lies in cultivating an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives, experiences, and skills, ultimately fueling sustainable impact.

Our diverse leadership and team members consist of individuals from various genders, religions, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds which is the result of inclusive hiring and equal access to professional growth opportunities for all. We also actively minimize barriers and apply these inclusive practices when onboarding repair partners, fostering an equitable operational ecosystem that drives innovation through diverse perspectives.

Dulang operates on a business model aimed at delivering value to both customers and underprivileged repairers while ensuring sustainable revenue generation. Our key stakeholders include repairmen and repair shops, with potential collaboration with waste banks in the future. In our B2C channel, we target customers who care about the environment and want to extend the life of their electronic devices responsibly. Our value proposition lies in offering consumers a convenient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to extend the lifespan of their devices through a one-stop platform with professional repair services. For repairers, we provide access to a broader market and stable income opportunities. Our revenue streams are derived from service fees, involving a percentage commission on repair services facilitated through our platform. Key activities include platform development and maintenance, repairer onboarding, job coordination, logistics management, and marketing efforts. We collaborate with repair partners, bike logistics providers for pickup and delivery, and potentially local waste banks. Our cost structure encompasses operational expenses, marketing, customer acquisition, and technology development and maintenance costs.

Dulang's financial sustainability strategy is built on multiple fronts. Our primary revenue source comes from service fees charged for repair jobs facilitated through our platform. Additionally, we actively seek grant funding and impact investments to support our mission of reducing e-waste and creating employment opportunities.

Our early successes, such as being selected into prestigious accelerator programs like URBAN-X Accelerator, Life Changing Labs, NextDev, and Greentech Entrepreneurs Network, alongside media recognition, validate our approach and enhance our credibility within the social impact ecosystem. Moving forward, we will continue to diversify our revenue streams, explore partnerships with waste banks, and innovate to achieve our financial sustainability goals while driving meaningful social and environmental impact.

Going forward, we’re also exploring a B2B2C, where we tap into servicing certain businesses like telco companies, ride-hailing companies, and banks, where we could also capture our target customers within their network which hold significant potential for our growth trajectory.