Plastic Waste Data in Indonesia Becomes a Challenge for Society

As the second largest waste-producing country in the world, Indonesia faces significant challenges. As a tropical country surrounded by oceans, many natural ecosystems are at stake. If not properly addressed, the issue of plastic waste could lead to natural disasters and ecosystem damage.

The data on plastic waste in Indonesia is a quantitative evidence showing the level of plastic waste generated in Indonesia over a certain period. Many parties and institutions continue to evaluate the amount of plastic waste in Indonesia. Here is the data development over time.

Percentage of Plastic Waste in Indonesia

Essentially, it is not only plastic waste that can be a problem. Improper processing of organic waste can also pose risks, although not as severe as the impact of plastic waste.

According to an article from IndonesiaBaik, the percentage of plastic waste from the integrated waste disposal site in Bantar Gebang is already around 34% of the total 39 million tons of waste. Every year, 1.3 million tons of plastic waste in Indonesia ends up in the sea.

Plastic Waste Data in Indonesia from the Industrial Sector

Based on a report from Greenpeace Indonesia, the beverage industry in Indonesia increased by 22.74% during the first semester of 2019. The volume of waste will also increase along with the growth of the industrial sector. The food and beverage industry contributes 65% to the total demand for plastic packaging. The consumption of plastic packaging also reaches 65% of the total national plastic consumption.

According to a statement from the Director of Olefins and Aromatics at Inaplas, Edi Rivai, from KumparanBISNIS, the per capita plastic consumption in Indonesia is only 20 kilograms per year. This is not comparable to the per capita plastic waste production in Vietnam (42.1 kg) or even Korea (141 kg). However, Indonesia remains the second largest contributor to plastic waste in the world.

The low level of waste management is the main cause. About 45% of plastic waste is unmanaged from a total of around 65 million tons of plastic waste each year. It is no wonder that Indonesia is considered a 'polluter' because waste sorting has not been optimally implemented.

If serious handling is not undertaken, the amount of plastic waste in the environment could reach 12 billion tons by 2050. This is a very high number and could have a greater impact on the environment. Moreover, estimates from the World Economic Forum indicate that 32% of this plastic waste will end up polluting land and oceans.

Microplastic Contamination in Indonesian Marine Waters

Ecosystem damage in waters is one of the most risky dangers to life. As a primary necessity, the quality and quantity of clean water must be maintained. However, the facts outlined by M Reza Cordova, a researcher at the LIPI Oceanography Research Center, indicate that microplastic contamination has already polluted seawater in the range of 30 – 960 particles/liter.

Although nearly invisible, microplastics can slowly damage ecosystems. The use of plastic, which reaches 78 million tons per year, is only recycled at a rate of 2%. It is not surprising that the volume of microplastic contaminants remains high and must be addressed immediately.

Increase in Shopping Waste During the Pandemic

During the Covid-19 pandemic, waste became a new problem that emerged in the environment. According to BBC Indonesia, the number of GoFood services increased by 20%, while GrabFood also experienced a 4% increase. The frequency of online shopping in Jabodetabek is estimated to have risen from 1 – 5 times a month to 1 – 10 times.

Based on a survey by LIPI from April 20 to May 5, 2020, it was mentioned that online shopping activities also increased by 62%, with 96% of the total number of packages using tape, plastic wrapping, and bubble wrap. The purchase of personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and face shields also increased from 4% to 36%.

Waste Accumulation in Indonesia in 2020

According to an article from DetikNews, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (LHK) reported that the waste accumulation in Indonesia in 2020 reached 67.8 tons. The growth in population is also expected to continue to increase this number. The increasing accumulation of waste will also significantly impact plastic waste production.

The production of plastic waste still has the potential to continue to rise due to various factors. Moreover, the amount of waste production continues to increase along with the growing population and industrial sector in Indonesia. So, start with yourself to reduce the amount of plastic waste, okay!