Mayor Of Semarang, Agustina Wilujeng Affirms Strengthening Environmental Programs To Overcome Microplastics

The Mayor of Semarang, Agustina Wilujeng, pays attention to maintaining the quality of the community's environment. (IST)

SEMARANG - The City Government or the Semarang City Government affirms its commitment to strengthen various pollution control programs, especially regarding the increasing microplastic threat after the ECOTON-SIEJ Research publication.

The Mayor of Semarang, Agustina Wilujeng, said that the microplastic issue had entered a phase that had to be handled with a thorough approach because it had a direct impact on public health and environmental quality in the city of Semarang.

According to Agustina, microplastic contamination of drinking water, air, and urban environment is now a strategic issue.

Semarang City must accelerate policy strengthening to ensure long-term protection, especially for vulnerable groups. "Microplasticity is a real threat. Therefore, all policy instruments must move together to maintain the quality of the environment in Semarang City," he said.

He explained that a number of strategic programs have been running to improve the quality of the environment in Semarang City, especially in waste management as one of the main sources of microplastics.

The city government has implemented plastic restrictions through Mayor Regulation Number 27 of 2019, which is the basis for controlling the use of single-use plastics.

In addition, the reduction in household waste continues to be strengthened through Circular Number B/194/600.1.17.3/I/2024, accompanied by education and arrangement of residential areas at various points in Semarang City.

Agustina added that waste management from upstream to downstream is an important focus. The movement to sort waste from home through the Mayor's Circular Number B/576/600.4.15/III/2025 has been implemented to strengthen a more sustainable system.

Other efforts include the use of plastic waste as alternative fuels such as Petasol through the Semarang Mayor Regulation Number 7 of 2025.

This policy encourages the processing of plastic with pyrolysis technology which is able to reduce the potential for microplastic formation in the city of Semarang.

In addition, strengthening instructions to OPD is carried out through Semarang Mayor's Instruction Number 1 of 2024 to ensure the acceleration of household waste management.

All of these policies, said Agustina, are part of a more comprehensive integration of environmental policies in the city of Semarang.

The government also runs additional programs such as Waste Banks, ProKlim, Adiwiyata schools, and plastic waste exchange programs in the car free day area, all of which aim to reduce the potential for microplastics in Semarang City.

The Semarang City Environmental Quality Index in 2024 is at 59.41%, which according to Agustina shows the need for increased air quality, water, and plastic residue management.

The theme of development in 2026 which emphasizes strengthening the food system and improving the quality of the environment will provide space for inclusion of microplastic issues more deeply into Semarang City planning.

The target of IKLH 2026 of 67.52% is a reference for strengthening environmental strategies in the future.

Innovative interventions are now starting to be prepared, including a pilot program for microplastic filtration for densely populated areas that rely on PDAM water and excavation wells.

On the air side, Semarang City will encourage the installation of microplastic particulate sensors at heavy traffic points as a quick mitigation measure.

This program will produce real-time data for reducing microplastic risk in the domestic activities of the people of Semarang City.

All these steps need measurable indicators. We ensure that reporting remains transparent and the use of Fiscal Incentive Funds is carried out in an accountable manner, "said Agustina.

By systematically strengthening multi-programs, Semarang City targets a significant reduction in microplastics while maximizing the improvement in the quality of the city's environment. (ADV)