Pontianak Bans Using Plastic Bags Towards Environmental Friendly

Illustration - Shopping bags that can be used as a substitute for plastic bags. BETWEEN/PTk's Prokopim

PONTIANAK - The Pontianak City Government (Pemkot), West Kalimantan, officially imposed a ban on the use of plastic bags in modern stores and other business places as an effort to reduce negative impacts and towards environmentally friendly.

"The policy effective from January 1, 2025, is contained in Circular Letter Number 43 of 2024 concerning the prohibition of providing plastic bags by business actors," said Pontianak Mayor Edi Suryanto in Pontianak, Antara, Sunday, January 5.

Environmental issues are a shared responsibility between the government, entrepreneurs, and the community. "We are indeed gradually trying to reduce and even eliminate the use of plastic because of its environmentally damaging impact," he said.

The implementation of this policy will be closely monitored and requires cooperation from all parties, including the government, entrepreneurs, and the community. Although this policy raises pros and cons, Edi Suryanto emphasized the importance of seeing the positive side of this prohibition.

"Every decision has a challenge, but we have to find a way out together. This could be a new business opportunity, such as the use of pockets from paper or shopping bags that can be processed and not made of plastic," he said.

Support from the community is also starting to appear, especially on social media. Many residents who welcome this step, signaling an increased awareness of the importance of protecting the environment.

"Alhamdulillah, public awareness is the main key. With community support, we can create Pontianak as an environmentally friendly city," said Edi Suryanto.

The acting Mayor of Pontianak will directly monitor the implementation of the policy to prohibit the use of plastic bags in a number of modern shops in Pontianak.

This step is expected to motivate people and entrepreneurs to switch to alternatives that are more environmentally friendly, as well as reduce the volume of plastic waste in Pontianak City.