Now, we want the plastic to be made to float so it doesn't sink down to make it easier to collect. We are learning of this technology and expect to produce it soon.
Bekasi, West Java (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has said that he expects Indonesia to develop a technology to address marine plastic pollution soon.

Currently, the government has managed to collect 35.5 percent of plastic waste floating on the surface of the sea. However, the waste lying on the ocean floor has yet to be picked up, he noted.

“Now, we want the plastic to be made to float so it doesn't sink down to make it easier to collect. We are learning of this technology and expect to produce it soon. We expect plastic companies and all to use this technology," the minister said at the opening of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles recycling facility in Bekasi, West Java, on Wednesday.

Indonesia is one of the most advanced countries in terms of dealing with plastic waste, Pandjaitan highlighted.

He said he expected that by 2025, the country will be able to resolve 70 percent of its marine plastic pollution issues.

He informed that there are refuse derived fuel (RDF) plants at 52 sites across Indonesia, particularly in tourist destinations, so the areas will be free of plastic waste.

"We will build (them) at all tourist destinations; later in Kuta and the likes of it, rubbish will be no more," he said.

At a forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January, Minister Pandjaitan said that Indonesia is highly committed to resolving environmental issues.

"Don't just talk about this environmental issue, but (also do the actual measures). We have already replanted 600 thousand hectares of mangroves. It will be completed in 2024. This is not the work of just one man and I expect that all can work together," he added.

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Translator: Maria Cicilia G P, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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