RI Donates Third Plastic Waste In The World, Puan Invites The Young Generation To Actively Protect The Environment

Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Indonesia has received the title as the third most contributor to plastic waste in the world based on the results of a study from the University of Leeds, England. The chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, asked the government to take concrete steps in overcoming the problem of plastic waste and inviting the younger generation to actively participate in the movement to protect the environment.

"This is a very worrying and urgent signal, so it must be seen as a national crisis. The government must have a firm attitude in its commitment to solving this plastic waste problem," said Puan, Thursday, September 12.

In a study published in the journal Nature, a total of 52 million tons of plastic products polluted the environment in 2020, which, if lined in one line, will stretch around the world more than 1,500 times. Global data in 2020 in the study, Indonesia is known to produce 3.4 million tons of plastic waste, and the first is India with 9.3 million tons followed by Nigeria with 3.5 million tons.

Research that shows that the waste rate in Indonesia is very large is also produced from research by the Oceanographic Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) which found that Indonesia was the 2nd largest contributor to plastic waste in the world.

Puan assessed that Indonesia's title as one of the most plastic waste-producing countries is not just showing statistics, but a serious warning to the failure of the waste management system in Indonesia.

"It takes a joint commitment from all elements of the nation so that Indonesia can reduce plastic waste which will contribute to the success of green economy policies and protect marine ecosystems," said the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI.

In particular, Puan invites the younger generation to actively participate in campaigning for reducing the use of plastic.

"Young people have good abilities to provide influence, especially supported by facilities and various access facilities that are currently quite advanced," said Puan.

"So I hope that the younger generation can become the driving force in Indonesia by campaigning for the importance of protecting the environment, including in reducing the use of plastic," he added.

In supporting the reduction of plastic waste, Puan also leads the DPR through the Green House program which aims to combat the climate crisis. The Green House is a movement to reduce the use of plastic and paper in each work unit of the legislative body.

"This Green House movement is our support in reducing plastic waste and materials that are difficult to recycle. This is our commitment in parliament to cultivate a go green lifestyle," explained Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture reminded that the accumulation of plastic waste that was not well managed could pollute Indonesia's oceans that have the largest marine biodiversity in the world. Puan also said that plastic wasted into the sea threatens the sustainability of marine ecosystems to damage animal habitats.

"And in the end, it has an impact on the fisheries and tourism sectors which are the backbone of the economy of many regions in Indonesia," said Bung Karno's grandson.

"Indonesia as a maritime country certainly excels the sea in various sectors of life. Not only does it damage marine and environmental habitats, the large amount of plastic waste will certainly create a bad image for Indonesia in the eyes of the world," added Puan.

Puan also highlighted public literacy and awareness in dealing with the problem of plastic waste which is still minimal. Based on data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), around 72% of Indonesians do not care about waste problems.

It is also known, every year Indonesia still uses 182.7 billion plastic bags. The composition of waste in Indonesia is 57% organic waste, 16% plastic waste, 10% paper waste, and 17% others.

"Currently, the educational campaign is still sporadic and does not touch all levels of society. The existing socialization is more often targeting limited groups and has not reached schools, local communities, or communities in remote areas," said Puan.