Plastic Waste

 During the COVID-19 pandemic we certainly had to maintain good health. This Sunday, I went out to sunbathe. I stretched and exercised my little in front of the fence. However, the unpleasant odor suddenly smelled. It turned out that it came from the sewer in front of my house. The sewer is full of plastic garbage which made the airways clogged. The color of the water was almost black. Plastic waste is one of specific waste problem.

If we look at the statement from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), Indonesia produces 67.8 million tons of waste a year. If we see based on data from Jambeck (2015), Indonesia is the second largest contributor to plastic waste to the sea after China. Increased consumer behavior in line with the increase of waste. What we eat, drink, use, are everything is from plastic that can’t be reused again. The increasing number of retail drinks and food makes disposable plastic bottles waste increase. Meanwhile, during this COVID-19 pandemic the use of disposable masks increase, and it was also a new problem because there are more waste.

Have you ever as a consumer thought where did all the rubbish go? The final storage place for rubbish also cannot accommodate the garbage we produce. Some end up not well managed. While most other people, choose to burn the garbage that even can produce dangerous matter and can push to climate change.

In Indonesia itself there are regulations about each product produced by producers, must be recycled and it is their responsibility. But in fact, there are still many manufacturers that ignore these regulations. Ocean is still full of plastic waste. One of regulation is Law Number 18 2008 clause 15 producers must manage the packaging and / or goods they produce that cannot or are difficult to decompose by natural processes.

To overcome this, cooperation is needed starting from the government, producers, consumers, and the role of NGOs. Even though regulations have been made, technology is needed to manage waste that is good and environmentally friendly. The government can work with other countries that have better program to manage their waste. Manufacturers are also responsible for the products they produce. Maybe program about exchange junk products for new products as a bonus. Then they can recycle waste, so it doesn't end up in the ocean. As consumers, we need to change the consumptive behavior and buy green products goods. Goods that we purchased need to be considered environmentally friendly labels. In addition, NGOs need to voice and advocate for waste issues so that we reduce and overcome them. This problem of plastic waste is also produced pollutants. So, we need to collaboration from each party so that our earth continues to be green.