Paid Plastic Bag Policy Trial Applies In 22 Cities In Today's Memory, February 21, 2016

The paid plastic bag trial will take effect on February 21, 2021, on several mini markets in Indonesia. (Special)

JAKARTA Memories of today, eight years ago, February 21, 2016, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) implemented a trial of the paid plastic bag policy in 22 cities in Indonesia. The implementation was carried out to reduce plastic waste that interferes with the environment.

Previously, plastic waste was often a threat. Plastic waste began to pollute many places, especially in the ocean. This condition is exacerbated by the inability of many countries to manage plastic waste.

No one doubts the existence of plastic packaging in various commercial industries, from food to everyday necessities. Plastic packaging is chosen as an assessment of packing cheap-cost products. Producers like it, people are forced to have no other choice but to take home.

The recitation in fact has a negative impact on the environment. Plastic waste like the earth does not accept it. Alias, plastic waste is difficult to decompose and pollute the environment. Instead of being completely recycled, the garbage accumulates a lot and is not lifted.

Some of them also pollute the oceans. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) even said that plastic waste in the world's oceans in 2010 reached 4.8 to 12.7 million tons.

The presence of plastic waste is considered disturbing the ocean ecosystem. The research also states that the United States (US) and China are the two most manufacturers that contribute to the presence of plastic waste in the oceans.

The rest of the plastic waste in the ocean is caused by developing countries such as Indonesia. The high population and less assertive policies are the cause. Even the government has not made the right efforts to reduce business actors using single-use plastic packaging.

This condition makes it never appropriate to prevent plastic waste. Moreover, the Indonesian government does not dare to give ultimatums for every plastic waste produced as the responsibility of the producer. Something that never materializes.

"Currently economic growth is indeed positive, but what you often see in developing countries including Indonesia - is waste management infrastructure being ruled out. And indeed because they care more about getting clean drinking water and increasing sanitation."

"But from a waste perspective, I don't want them to forget about this management issue. If it is forgotten, conditions will only get worse," said chief team scientist from the University of Georgia, USA, Jenna Jembeck, who researches plastic waste as quoted by the BBC, February 13, 2015.

The condition of plastic waste that is increasingly disturbing the environment is the concern of the Indonesian government, especially the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. They also tried to make a breakthrough so that plastic waste affairs could be tamed.

This effort was met by inviting many other parties to collaborate, from government to non-governmental organizations. As a result, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry issued a circular letter from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to the Regional Head through letter number S.1230/PSLB3-PS/2016 dated February 17, 2016.

The circular contains the Price and Mechanism for the Implementation of Paid Plastic Bags. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry also continued its good intentions in the form of a trial of the application of paid plastic bags in 22 cities in Indonesia on February 21, 2016, or coinciding with National Waste Care Day.

Among others in Banda Aceh, Medan, Pekanbaru, Palembang, DKI Jakarta, Bandung, Tangerang, Bekasi, Depok, Bogor, Semarang, Solo, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, Makassar, Denpasar, Kendari, Ambon, Jayapura, and Papua.

The goal is for consumers to think twice about using plastic bags. This is because plastic bags are no longer free. The purchase funds for plastic bags will later be used for environmental rescue efforts. This breakthrough targets modern retailers.

"The agreed value is at least Rp200 per plastic bag, it includes VAT. It is still below the average cost of producing plastic bags. So, there are still costs borne by us. Later it will be re-evaluated after the trial runs for at least three months," said Chairman of the Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (Aprindo), Roy N. Mandey, quoted by CNN the day after, February 22, 2016.