The Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) of the Republic of Indonesia, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, estimates that this year's waste pile in Indonesia is at 67.8 million tons. Siti said this number is likely to continue to grow. Indonesia could become the largest plastic trash can in the world if the use of plastic waste was not controlled
Since March 1, 2019, Indonesia has started to introduce paid plastic bags to consumers, especially retail companies. This policy is part of an effort to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags that are not environmentally friendly.
Do you still remember the whale that washed ashore in Wakatobi waters, Southeast Sulawesi, November 2018? Inside the dead whale, there was 5.9 kg of plastic waste. The whale's death due to plastic has gone viral in Indonesia and has also been given some foreign media. This incident further embarrassed Indonesia, which is known to have the largest trash can in the world, which is the area of the Indonesian ocean.
Various efforts were made to stop throwing garbage into the sea and reduce the use of plastic bags. The results must be seen in the long term. The imposition of a mandatory payment for the use of plastic bags, let alone only Rp 200 per bag, will not significantly impact the short term.
This is a cultural problem and there is low awareness about the dangers of using plastic. Awareness and socialization of the dangers of plastic must continue to be carried out in various ways and make use of various existing media.
The public must be aware that plastic bags can trigger climate change in addition to being harmful to health. From the process of production, use, to disposal, it results in high carbon emissions that affect climate change due to the warming of the earth. Plastic decomposes for a long time and can pollute the environment.
The culture of using paper bags and cloth that can be used in the long term must be encouraged. With such synergy, we will see changes in the future. []