The country is the second largest plastic polluter in the world after China
The country is the second largest plastic polluter in the world after China
Last February, during the 2017 World Oceans Summit held in Nusa Dua, Bali, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia’s coordinating minister for Maritime Affairs, announced the government’s intention to spend $ 1 billion each year to reduce ocean pollution by 70% by 2025. Plastic pollution is a scourge in the country’s aquatic environment and according to a 2015 report, Indonesia is the second largest plastic polluter in the world, behind only China. It is estimated that by 2025, its 270 billion residents will produce 0.85 kg of solid waste per day, meaning 152,000 tns daily.
The action was announced as part of the UN’s new Clean Seas campaign against plastic pollution in our oceans, which mainly focuses on single-use plastic bags and microplastics in cosmetic products. Indonesia joined the initiative last month, together with other 9 countries including Uruguay -which will impose a tax on single use plastic bags-, Costa Rica -which promised better waste management and education-, Belgium and France.
Being part of the Coral Triangle, the country’s coral reef ecosystems are endangered because of the plastic pollution. These ecosystems support crucial fisheries, grant food security for millions and attract tourists. Pandjaitan however believes that the ambitious 70% reduction goal by 2025 could be accomplished in various different ways, such as implementing a tax on plastic bags and running a public education campaign, as there is poor public understanding of the problems created by plastic waste. He also proposed the support of new industries that use biodegradable materials such as cassava and seaweed to produce plastic alternatives. The measure of taxing single use plastic bags was tested in 23 cities across Indonesia last year, and although the government reported a big reduction in their use, there was significant resistance both from consumers and the industry, said Siti Nurbaya, Indonesia’s minister for the environment. It is clear though, that in such populated countries with poor waste management infrastructure, initiatives that encourage alternatives to plastic packaging are more than necessary.
Source: The Guardian
Indonesia's move is part of the United Nations' Clean Seas initiative.
Photos source: Inhabitat
Source: The Guardian
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