The Indonesian ministry recorded a 41.68 percent decrease in plastic waste entering the sea

JAKARTA: (Bernama-Antara) Indonesia's Maritime Affairs and Investment Coordination Ministry reported a 41.68 percent decrease in the release of plastic waste into the sea since 2018, amounting to 256,614 tons of waste.

In an online discussion on Friday (October 4), Rofi Alhanif, deputy commissioner of the Ministry of Waste Management, noted that 615,675 tons of plastic waste entered the sea in 2018, Antara news agency reported.

According to the National Coordination Team for Marine Debris Management (TKNPSL), 359,061 tons of plastic waste entered the sea in 2023.

As set out in the Marine Debris Handling National Action Plan (RAN PSL), the Indonesian government previously set a goal of reducing plastic waste entering the sea to 70 percent by 2025.

He drew attention to several challenges that need to be addressed to achieve the target, such as the waste collection rate, which is not yet optimal, and an insufficient budget for waste management systems and human resources.

“Our waste collection is not yet optimal, especially in rural areas or regions where waste disposal is still very weak,” he noted.

Alhanif also stated that plastic consumption is increasing in line with population growth.

In addition, the other challenges include waste management in ports and marine tourism areas, which is not yet optimal, people's awareness, which still needs to be strengthened, and waste data management systems on land and at sea that are not yet integrated. – Bernama Antara