Plastic waste remains an unresolved issue to this day. Indonesia ranks second among the world’s largest plastic waste producers that end up in the oceans. Each year, Indonesia generates 3.2 million tons of plastic waste, with most of it ending up in the oceans due to inadequate processing. On average, each Indonesian is responsible for 17.2 kg of floating plastic waste, polluting the marine ecosystem.
In addition to plastic waste, food waste is a significant contributor to environmental pollution. The volume of waste production far exceeds the capacity for waste management, leading to an escalating environmental crisis. This crisis extends from overflowing Final Disposal Sites (TPA), contamination of coastal and marine ecosystems, and food chain contamination, to imminent climate crises.
So, what’s the solution to this increasingly pressing waste problem?
Reducing Waste at Schools
Balebengong visited SDN 7 Dauh Puri, Denpasar, on November 11, 2022. Since 2016, this primary school has initiated programs related to waste and environmental issues. Ni Luh Putu Ariani, the school’s principal, strongly supports waste and environmental programs. In 2019, a local NGO, the Bali Environmental Education Center (PPLH), partnered with SDN 7 Dauh Puri to address waste issues within the school environment.
SDN 7 Dauh Puri has implemented various programs to tackle waste issues on the school grounds. One interesting program is the “Kantin Swakelola,” a self-sustaining canteen. The uniqueness of this canteen lies in its use of no single-use plastics. For instance, they provide small plates for meals, while students bring their drink bottles from home.
Reducing waste through this plastic-free canteen is commendable, as most school waste comes from poorly managed canteens. The principal agrees that this is a tangible step to reduce waste circulation within the school.
Moreover, what sets SDN 7 Dauh Puri’s waste management apart is the direct involvement of students in the programs. For example, the “Kader Kompos” program involves students in composting organic waste found within the school grounds. This effort is driven by students, making them stewards of a healthy environment.
Not only does the “Kader Kompos” program produce compost, but it also feeds into other programs such as the “Kader Ruang Terbuka Hijau (RTH)” and “Greenhouse” programs. Additionally, the “Green Police” program, conducted by students, supervises and issues warnings to maintain cleanliness within the school environment.
With commitment and consistency, SDN 7 Dauh Puri has played its part in addressing waste issues in Bali.
Limiting Plastic Bags in Traditional Markets
Since 2018, the Bali government issued a regulation (Gubernur Bali №97 Tahun 2018) limiting single-use plastic bags. As a result, modern supermarkets and minimarkets stopped providing plastic bags, leading to a 60% reduction in single-use plastic bag consumption. However, this regulation’s effect on traditional markets was questioned.
Data from the Environmental Agency of Bali Province indicates that in Sindu Sanur Market, the total monthly usage of large plastic bags by all vendors reaches 5,730 pieces, with an additional 47,250 small plastic bags per month. This contradicts the regulation.
To address this, Sindu Sanur Market was selected as a pilot plastic-free market in Denpasar starting on January 10, 2022. The Bali Environmental Education Center (PPLH Bali) partnered with this program.
Nearly 10 months later, Balebengong visited Sindu Market to observe the implementation.
While some buyers brought their reusable bags, many vendors and shoppers still used single-use plastic bags. PPLH Bali and Sindu Market’s management acknowledged that the reduction in single-use plastic bags was only around 40%. Shoppers forgetting their reusable bags or buying in large quantities necessitated single-use plastic bags in some cases.
In essence, shoppers support the plastic-free market program. Some buyers and sellers, like Sudarma and Wayan Ratni, found the ban on plastic bags beneficial for the environment. Tourists Libby and Lauren from Australia also expressed support for the program and the need for more education on the topic.
Regarding the awareness campaigns, PPLH Bali and Sindu Market management confirmed their efforts in educating shoppers and vendors through leaflets and other media campaigns. The Bali Governor’s regulation on reducing single-use plastic bags applies not only to modern markets but also to traditional markets.
Managing Waste at the Source
The Bali Provincial Government has issued various policies to address waste problems, including the reduction of single-use plastic waste (Pergub №97/2018), source-based waste management (Pergub №47/2019), and village-based source waste management (Kepgub 381/2021). To add context, data from the Environmental Agency of Bali Province indicates that Bali generates an average of 4,281 tons of waste per day. Approximately 50% of waste goes to Final Disposal Sites (TPA), with 28% remaining unmanaged and disposed of in the environment. Furthermore, 19.7% of the waste composition is plastic. Given these figures, it is essential to implement source-based waste management policies throughout Bali’s villages.
Source-based waste management involves reducing waste production by selecting materials with minimal waste content, avoiding single-use plastics, reusing and repurposing waste, providing segregated waste containers, collecting waste, delivering non-biodegradable waste to waste banks and/or Final Disposal Sites (TPA), processing biodegradable waste, and transporting residual waste to TPA.
One example of source-based waste management is the treatment of organic waste in the Lebih Village Source-Based Waste Management Facility (TPS3R).
On November 10, 2022, Balebengong visited TPS3R in Lebih Village, Gianyar, to observe waste management in action. The facility had started operating, with full support from the village head. TPS3R has created compost from organic waste generated by Lebih Village residents, producing 250 kilograms of compost in a few months.
However, despite running for several months, TPS3R faced challenges. Inadequate facility design limited the efficient processing of organic waste. Additionally, residents’ reluctance to segregate waste at the source meant that unsegregated waste couldn’t be processed on-site and had to be transported to the TPA.
Not only did Balebengong speak with TPS3R operators but also with residents who subscribed to waste collection services at TPS3R. Bu Ria, one of these residents, found it easy to separate household waste and had an environmental consciousness.
PPLH Bali is one of TPS3R Lebih’s partners and supporters, providing education and guidance to Lebih Village residents.
False Solutions from the Government?
The central government has proposed a different approach to waste management, emphasizing converting waste into energy or Waste to Energy (WTE). WTE is included in the National Strategic Projects (PSN) for the acceleration of electrification infrastructure, according to Presidential Regulation №109/2020. These projects number 201, with WTE considered part of the strategy.
Why is this approach considered a false solution? According to WALHI, WTE programs are criticized for their high investment costs and significant financial risks, potential emissions of toxic dioxins and furans, and unproven success of WTE projects that are already operational.
Yobel Novian from the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) shared similar views, considering WTE projects as false solutions. Yobel pointed out that many claims behind WTE projects are unproven, including environmental friendliness, low-carbon incinerator technology, and safety for humans and the surrounding environment.
Yobel emphasized that WTE projects, regardless of their names or types, would inevitably generate harmful fine particles and microplastics. Therefore, government-proposed solutions are deemed false.
Zero Waste
Addressing the waste problem goes beyond downstream management; reducing waste production upstream is essential. The Zero Waste Indonesia Alliance (AZWI) and its members suggest environmentally friendly solutions such as Plastic-Free Markets and Zero Waste Cities.
Pasar Sindu, a pilot plastic-free market, and Lebih Village in Gianyar, a Zero Waste City pilot, are expected to pioneer waste management in Bali and Indonesia. The director of the Yaksa Sustainable Earth Protector (YPBB), David Sutasurya, argues that the zero-waste city framework can address waste issues effectively in the short term. This is because, according to their data, approximately 60% of waste generated by the community consists of organic waste. Processing organic waste can significantly reduce the burden on Final Disposal Sites (TPA).
David suggests taking environmental awareness measures, including waste segregation, recycling, composting, and reducing waste sent to TPAs as much as possible. Additionally, source reduction, the reduction or prohibition of single-use packaging and products (plastic bags, styrofoam, sachets, etc.), reusing packaging and products, and repairing items that can still be used are essential steps in waste management.
However, David emphasizes that addressing the waste problem should not solely rely on the community. The government, with its resources and political will, must provide environmentally friendly solutions.
In their recommendations, David suggests that the government should immediately phase out and prohibit organic waste from going to TPA. They should halt ongoing and planned thermal technology projects (incinerators, Waste-to-Energy, RDF) to anticipate short-term impacts. To address medium-term consequences, the government should issue regulations banning single-use plastic products and packaging. For long-term solutions, the government should accelerate producer responsibility for maximum implementation of refill, repair, and reuse systems.
This article has been published and collaborated with Balebengong and AZWI, but the link went missing.
