7-6-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesia has announced its plans to completely ban single-use plastic products, including polystyrene food containers, plastic straws, cutlery, and shopping bags, by the end of 2029. This move comes as the country seeks to address the environmental challenges posed by non-recyclable packaging waste that holds no economic value and has the potential to pollute the environment.
Indonesia is among the largest producers of plastic waste globally. Official data from Indonesia indicates that in 2022, a country with a population of 270 million generated a staggering 12.6 million tons of plastic waste, equivalent to 46.7 kilograms per person. Alarming research conducted by the Zero Waste Indonesia Alliance reveals that only 9% of Indonesia’s plastic waste is recycled, while the rest either ends up in landfills or finds its way into rivers and oceans.
In light of this situation, the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, led by Minister Siti, has announced that the central government will require each province to develop a roadmap for reducing plastic waste, thus ensuring the implementation of this ban. Minister Siti also emphasized the importance of the private sector playing a significant role in reducing plastic waste. She has called on all manufacturers to reduce plastic packaging usage by 30% before 2029, thereby addressing the downstream plastic waste problem.
To tackle the plastic waste issue, the Indonesian government has already implemented various regulations. For instance, in 2019, authorities mandated that plastic producers develop waste reduction plans for their products. However, challenges persist. In the Philippines, for example, the daily production of solid waste has surged to 60,000 tons, a significant increase from 16,000 tons in 2016. Approximately 30% to 40% of this 60,000 tons comprises plastic waste.
Loida, the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philippines, acknowledged the country’s struggle in curbing the use of single-use plastics, stating that it involves a societal issue that needs to be addressed collectively. She urged large-scale businesses using plastic packaging to take responsibility and seek sustainable alternatives.
Thailand is also grappling with the issue of plastic waste polluting its oceans. Data from the Pollution Control Department in Thailand indicates a 2.8% increase in solid waste generation in 2022, reaching a total of 25.7 million tons. The use of single-use plastic packaging, fueled by the rise in takeout and online shopping, exacerbates the problem. The department predicts that as the number of tourists steadily increases, Thailand’s overall waste volume will continue to rise.
Tong Tanawat, a marine ecologist at the Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University in Thailand, emphasized the importance of implementing mandatory waste management measures and imposing fees on companies producing non-biodegradable waste to boost the market competitiveness of biodegradable and recyclable products, thus addressing the issue of marine debris.
In response, the Thai government has launched an action plan for waste management aimed at gradually phasing out single-use plastics and polystyrene food packaging, with a complete ban on all plastic waste imports starting from 2025.
