In an online discussion on Friday, the ministry's Assistant Deputy for Waste Management Rofi Alhanif noted that in 2018, the leakage of plastic waste into the ocean reached 615,675 tons.
According to data from the National Coordination Team for Marine Debris Management (TKNPSL), 359,061 tons of plastic waste leaked into the ocean in 2023.
The Indonesian government earlier targeted reducing plastic waste entering the ocean to 70 percent by 2025 as stated in the Marine Debris Handling National Action Plan (RAN PSL).
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He drew attention to several challenges that must be addressed to achieve the target, such as the waste collection rate that had yet to be optimal and an inadequate budget for waste management systems and human resource capacity.
"Our waste collection is not yet optimal, especially in rural areas or regions whose waste management services are still very weak," he remarked.
Alhanif also stated that plastic consumption is increasing in line with the growth of the population.
Furthermore, the other challenges are waste management in ports and marine tourism areas that have yet to be optimal, people's awareness that still needs to be increased, and land and sea waste data management systems that are not yet integrated.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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