“One problem that really troubles regional heads... is the issue of waste. Many regional heads do not handle it because it is very complex,” he said in Badung, Bali, on Saturday.
According to Sugiarto, Indonesia generates 64 million tons of waste per year, and 5.4 million tons of this waste is plastic. Three million tons of the total plastic waste ends up in the sea every year, which is why regional governments need to take action on the issue, he added.
“It is impossible to become a developed country by 2045 if we do not solve the (problem of) waste and plastic waste (being) dumped into the sea,” he said.
He outlined three factors for tackling the waste issue—substitution, economic ecosystem, and handling from upstream to downstream.
“I think, until today, there have been no proven substitutes for plastic,” he said.
In terms of the economic ecosystem, there is a need for regional heads to be careful in maintaining a balance because the policies adopted by regional governments could disrupt the operations of long-term businesses.
As for waste handling efforts from upstream to downstream, he highlighted the need for a good understanding on the part of regional governments regarding waste management.
According to the Environment Ministry’s National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN), 13.7 million tons of waste generated in Indonesia was not managed in 2024.
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Translator: Ni Putu, Raka Adji
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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