Indonesias Plastic Waste War: Can the Archipelago Turn the Tide?

TheIndonesia.co - Standing on the banks of the Citarum River in West Java, one can see the scale of Indonesia’s plastic waste crisis with their own eyes. Once a vital waterway for farming and daily life, it’s now frequently cited as one of the most polluted rivers in the world—choked with household waste, industrial runoff, and single-use plastics.

Indonesia generates over 7.8 million tons of plastic waste each year, and around 620,000 tons of it ends up in the ocean. As the world’s second-largest marine plastic polluter after China, the country faces growing domestic and international pressure to clean up its act.

But amid the tide of plastic, a wave of solutions is emerging—from grassroots to government level.

A National Plan with Global Ambitions

In 2019, Indonesia launched an ambitious “National Plan of Action on Marine Plastic Debris” aiming to reduce plastic waste leakage into the ocean by 70% by 2025 and achieve near-zero plastic pollution by 2040.

The plan includes five strategic pillars: behavior change, waste management improvements, innovation in plastic substitutes, law enforcement, and funding mechanisms. It’s supported by the **National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP)**, a public-private initiative facilitated by the World Economic Forum.

While the targets are commendable, critics point to challenges in implementation, especially at the local level. “The plan is strong on paper,” says Yuyun Ismawati, a Goldman Prize-winning environmentalist. “But we need better coordination, accountability, and a much faster pace.”

Bottlenecks in Waste Management 

Indonesia’s waste problem is exacerbated by a lack of basic infrastructure. Only about 39% of waste is collected and disposed of properly. In rural areas, open dumping and burning remain common, with serious health consequences.

Plastic packaging is a particular challenge. Flexible, multi-layered plastic sachets used for products like shampoo and instant coffee are nearly impossible to recycle with current technology. Many end up clogging rivers and drains or are burned in backyards.

The government has pledged to close all open dumpsites by 2030 and expand waste sorting and recycling facilities. Yet funding remains a major hurdle, and many municipalities struggle to enforce waste regulations.

Local Innovations Take the Lead

Despite systemic challenges, a growing number of community-led solutions are offering hope. In Bali, the organization **Sungai Watch** has installed hundreds of floating barriers in rivers to capture plastic waste before it reaches the ocean. Founded by a family of French-Indonesian environmentalists, the project employs local workers and recycles collected waste.

Elsewhere, the **EcoBali** initiative helps households sort and compost waste, while **Plastic Bank** runs programs to incentivize plastic collection through cash or digital credits.

Technology is also entering the fray. Jakarta-based **Gringgo Tech** developed an AI-powered app to help waste workers track and sort materials more efficiently. And **Rebricks**, a women-led startup, transforms non-recyclable plastic into eco-friendly bricks used in construction.

Regulating the Source

Indonesia has begun introducing bans on single-use plastics. Jakarta, Bali, and several other provinces have restricted plastic bags, straws, and styrofoam, especially in supermarkets and modern retail outlets. Enforcement, however, is uneven—especially in traditional markets and online commerce.

The central government has also drafted an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation, which will require companies to take more responsibility for the lifecycle of their packaging. Several major brands, including Unilever and Danone, have launched pilot projects, but critics say voluntary efforts are not enough.

“EPR must be mandatory and measurable,” says Dyah Roro Esti, a parliamentarian and environmental advocate. “Producers need to redesign products and packaging, not just fund cleanups.”

### International Eyes on Indonesia

With oceans becoming the final repository of the world’s plastic, Indonesia’s efforts have global significance. The country is a key player in the UN negotiations for a legally binding global plastic treaty, which aim to regulate plastic production and pollution across borders.

But while Indonesia is celebrated for its ambitious goals, its dependence on international partnerships and funding raises concerns about long-term ownership.

A Cultural Shift in the Making?

Changing mindsets may be the hardest challenge of all. Plastic is cheap, convenient, and deeply embedded in daily life. Yet awareness campaigns are slowly making a dent—particularly among younger Indonesians who are pushing for change through social media and civic activism.

From students organizing cleanup drives to influencers promoting zero-waste lifestyles, the cultural tide may be turning.

As 19-year-old climate activist Annisa Putri in Makassar puts it: “We grew up in a plastic world, but that doesn’t mean we have to live in one forever.”

The Road Ahead

Indonesia’s war on plastic is far from over. The scale of the challenge is immense, and the window for decisive action is narrowing. Yet the convergence of policy ambition, community resilience, and technological innovation offers a path forward.

If Indonesia can align its policies with local realities, and ensure that the burden of waste doesn’t fall on the poorest, it could become a model for other nations wrestling with the plastic age.

The question is not whether Indonesia can win its plastic war—but whether it can do so fairly, sustainably, and in time to protect its oceans and future generations.